Dubbing the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance regime as a “government of tall claims,” Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday held the ruling coalition responsible for Bihar's backwardness.
While accusing Mr. Kumar and the NDA government of “failing to effectively utilise Central funds in Bihar,” Ms. Gandhi in her election addresses in Bhabua and Buxar districts also flayed the ruling regime for the lack of development in agriculture.
Laid-back attitude
She said the Durgawati Reservoir Project, initiated by the then Union Water Resources Minister Jagjivan Ram in 1976, had failed to take off owing to the laid-back attitude of the ruling government.
The project, meant to bolster agricultural growth in drought-hit Rohtas and Kaimur districts, has hit a snag. Both the opposition Congress and the RJD-LJP combine have indulged in verbal duels with the ruling NDA alliance during campaigning.
Earlier, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi had said that the project was being held up as the Centre, specifically the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, had yet to give its clearance.
Ms. Gandhi said roadblocks like lack of electricity had hampered development of agriculture in the State.
“Lack of industries has brought doom on the State. This is the time for the people [in this State] to change the government…the non-Congress governments are responsible for the poverty and backwardness ailing the State for the past 20 years,” Ms. Gandhi said. Censuring the Nitish Kumar government, Ms. Gandhi said that despite the tall promises there was widespread unemployment, poverty and backwardness forcing the people to migrate to greener pastures.
