NITISH Kumar slams opposition for talking about development recalling misdeeds, corruption of ‘’Lantern era’’

Ebangla Bureau

BEING attacked by  Lalu Prasad founded  RJD led Opposition, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has urged the people not to “get misled” by those who “ignored” women and backward classes during their rule in the eastern state. Among the most neglected people were EXTREMELY BACKWARD and MAHADALITS during the lantern regime. Addressing an election rally at Parbatta he said, “They are shedding crocodile tears for women now but how was the condition of women earlier? They were ignored, nobody paid attention to their issues. “Without naming former CM  Lalu Prasad, who is cooling foot in jail in  Jharkhand after found guilty of multi-crore scam Nitish Kumar said, “When he was sent to jail, he installed his wife (Rabri Devi) in this chair to ensure the dynastic regime, but did nothing for the welfare of the women otherwise. “Prasad, who became chief minister of Bihar in 1990, had anointed his wife on the CM chair after he was sent to jail in 1997 over multi-crore fodder scam cases. Nitish Kumar said when he got the opportunity to work, he gave reservation to women in panchayats and urban local bodies, besides providing quotas to SC, ST and backward classes. “If Bihar has progressed today, the biggest reason is women’s participation. Promoting women is our commitment,” ruling  JD(U) chief said. His government started the Bihar Rural Livelihood Project (BRLP), locally known as JEEVIKA, by taking a loan from the World Bank and the initiative has expanded today. Prohibition policy has benefited women to a large extend, he added. Kumar declared Bihar a dry state in April 2016. On several occasions, he had said he took the step on the demand of the women. The state government remains committed to development by taking along the SC, the ST, Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes and Mahayanist “.We have ended the Lantern era by ensuring electricity supply across the state, he said.