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Nitish Kumar slams Modi government for 'giving benefit' to industrialists

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday criticised Narendra Modi-led BJP government for giving benefit to a section of industrialists at the cost of ordinary people. "Nobody at the top is thinking about the people. They say one thing, do something else. They are out to please a few.

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday criticised Narendra Modi-led BJP government for giving benefit to a section of industrialists at the cost of ordinary people. "Nobody at the top is thinking about the people. They say one thing, do something else. They are out to please a few.

There is a need for all inclusive development," Kumar told a rally of party workers at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna. "The Union Budget presented on Saturday is for the benefit of corporate houses. They are cutting down corporate tax from 30% to 25%. Wealth Tax has been removed and surcharge has been imposed on some people. This budget will affect the expansion of service sector and hit people with inflation," he said.

Quoting figures, which he said were from reliable agencies and available easily on internet, Kumar pointed out that the wealth of the top 10 to 12 billionaires in the country had gone up by Rs 42,460 crore over the last nine months since the BJP-led government came to power in the Centre.

"Wealth of one particular capitalist, whose name everybody takes, but I'll not take, has risen by Rs 16,740 crore over this short period," he said. Kumar said it seemed achhe din (good days) had come for those for whom it was intended. "It hasn't come for those for whom it was not meant to."

Extending his wishes to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who took oath on Sunday, Kumar did not spare the opportunity to flay Modi and played an audio clip in which the Prime Minister was heard lambasting 'father-daughter' and 'father-son' governments during one of his poll rallies there.

"He (Modi) kept talking about integrating Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country and what not. He talked about giving a chance to others instead of 'father-daughter' and 'father-son' governments. But now he has joined them. These people say one thing, do something else," Kumar said. "Relentless agitation should be started with a daylong fast across the state to demand that the central government withdraw the black law. A continuous public contact and awareness campaign should also be a part of it," Kumar said.

He also pointed that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops had been raised hardly by 3% this year and the states were discouraged from giving bonus to their farmers. "What happened to BJP's Lok Sabha poll promise of giving MSP at one-and-a-half times of the cost?" he asked.

Kumar also took on the saffron party over its changing stand on the issue of bringing back black money stashed in other countries and distributing Rs 15 to 20 lakh each among common people by playing audio clips of Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President Amit Shah and Yoga guru Ramdev.

The crowd laughed and clapped as Kumar pointed out at the change in words spoken by these leaders and said, "You all (BJP leaders) are now saying you don't know know how much black money is stashed abroad. You all are now talking about making laws and punishment."

"You all (BJP leaders) cannot term your promises on black money as just a 'rhetoric' spoken during Lok Sabha poll campaign. The people will now not believe your promises," he said. Asking JD(U) workers to remain united, he cautioned them against divisive forces that are trying to destroy social harmony and told them to counter such plans with all their might.

"Remain alert against forces that talk about 'ghar wapsi', 'love jihad', and to produce 10-20 children to divide the society. Remain united and counter them with all your might.
Our aim is a developed and prosperous Bihar," he said.

Kumar called for one active party worker over every 10 houses in an election booth area, and 15 to 20 workers for every booth for the Assembly elections scheduled later this year. "The fight is not between Hindus and Muslims, but orthodox Hindus and liberal Hindus. We have to work together to attain the lost glory of Bihar. Keep your enthusiasm intact, because we are going to fight those who are experts in spreading rumours and sowing disunity," he said.

Also Read: Ram Vilas Paswan seeks Nitish Kumar's apology for criticising Union Budget

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