The CM was addressing a gathering of members of minority communities while launching a bouquet of schemes such as — residential schools, madrassas and scholarship for minorities.
Ahead of the crucial 2019 general election, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on Monday sent out a message to minority communities saying he has never compromised with communal harmony, whoever his allies may be.
The CM was addressing a gathering of members of minority communities while launching a bouquet of schemes such as — residential schools, madrassas and scholarship for minorities.
"I have the responsibility of running this state, and I believe in serving the people of this state. My work is not based on caste. I don't have interest in anything else apart from the state's development, and I do not worry about votes," he said.
Nitish, who has so far maintained a secular image, listed various developmental works done by his government, and said, "I have never compromised with 3Cs — crime, corruption and communalism, whether my government stays or not."
In a veiled reference to his allies — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — Nitish said that he has never compromised with communities and their rights, no matter who his allies have been.
"So far, I have not compromised on anything, irrespective of whoever was with me. I have always tried to maintain communal harmony and never compromised on it in any way," he said.
The BJP was in alliance with the JD(U) in Bihar, from 2005 to 2013, and again since July 2017 till present. In between, Nitish had joined forces with Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD and formed the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar in 2015.
Kumar reiterated that he did not indulge in caste and vote politics. "You can vote for anyone you want to. My job is to do look after the development of this state and I am committed to doing that. My commitment is towards everyone, and my schemes reflect it," Nitish said.
In an oblique attack on the Opposition, he added, "Some people have no principles... Then only indulge in caste based politics."
The Chief Minister's comments, however, did not go down well with some BJP leaders in Bihar who said the saffron party too was committed towards the development of the minorities.
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