Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan has called for the Bihar government to take decisive action against rising crime rates and recent infrastructure failures, urging the state to develop a clearer vision for progress. Paswan, who was once a vocal critic of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, now supports the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) running the next assembly elections under Kumar’s leadership.
In an interview with PTI, Paswan raised concerns about the state’s development, asking, “When Biharis are doing so well, then why is Bihar so behind?” He pointed out that many individuals from Bihar have achieved success in various sectors after moving out of the state, suggesting that Bihar’s lagging development needs to be addressed urgently.
Paswan stressed that a comprehensive vision and its effective implementation are crucial for halting the migration of Biharis in search of better opportunities. He expressed support for granting Bihar special category status ahead of the Union budget presentation on July 23, although he acknowledged that the NITI Aayog’s recommendations are opposed to this move. Instead, he proposed that the state be considered for a special package.
Recent issues in Bihar have included the collapse of nearly 15 bridges, raising questions about the quality of construction and sparking widespread criticism on social media. Paswan attributed these failures to potential corruption and called for accountability. “This definitely shows that somewhere corruption has taken place,” he said. “Whosoever is responsible should be held accountable and punished so that a precedent is set for the future.”
Despite his past criticisms, Paswan praised Kumar’s administration compared to the previous RJD governments, acknowledging that while improvements have been made, there is still room for progress. He noted that reducing crime rates could enhance tourism, particularly religious tourism, by making the state a safer destination for visitors. Paswan proposed developing a grand temple in Sitamarhi for Lord Ram’s wife Sita and improving connectivity between Sitamarhi and Ayodhya to boost tourism.
Paswan also highlighted the need for better education infrastructure in Bihar. He pointed out that many students from the state travel to coaching centers in Kota, Rajasthan, which are often run by Biharis, and questioned why similar models could not be implemented in Patna, Muzaffarpur, or Bhagalpur.
Sources By Agencies
