Nitish Kumar, chief minister of Bihar held a press conference on Friday ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced earlier on the same day that the Bihar polls will be held in three phases (October 28, November 3 and November 7).
According to the ECI’s schedule, results for Bihar’s 243 Assembly seats will be declared on November 10.
During his interaction with the press, CM Nitish Kumar said he has almost fulfilled his ‘saat nischay’ (7 objectives) promise made to the people of Bihar. “We have worked on infrastructure, education, health, among other sectors,” he said.
Kumar also added that his Janata Dal (United) government, currently in a coalition with the BJP, will present a sequel to the ‘saat nischay’ plan if voted to power again in the 2020 Bihar elections.
Revealing details about the second ‘saat nischay’ plan, Nitish Kumar said the first objective will circle around “Yuva Shakti Bihar Ki Pragati” (power of youth, development of Bihar). This part of the plan will focus on employment for youngsters and financial aid for people from across castes.
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The second part of the plan will revolve around ‘Sashakt Mahila, Saksham Mahila’ (strong woman, capable woman). If voted to power in Bihar again, CM Nitish Kumar said he will introduce reservations for women in all levels of district and police administration.
Each girl in Bihar will get Rs 25,000 for completing class 12 and Rs 50,00 for graduation, CM Kumar said.
While reiterating that his government has fulfilled its promise of providing water and electricity to each home in the state’s villages, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said the second ‘saat nischay’ will focus on supplying irrigation water to every field.
This plan will also involve solar street lights in villages across the state. Work will also be undertaken to further promote animal husbandry and develop modes of transportation.
For the elderly, shelters will be constructed in Bihar along with homes for those without a roof over their heads, CM Kumar added.
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New roads will be constructed to connect each village with cities and a bypass in each city, the Bihar chief minister told reporters.
He also stressed healthcare facilities for all as one of the key points of the sequel of his ‘saat nischay’ plan.
Responding to questions about a rift within the NDA of which the JD(U) is a part along with the LJP, Nitish Kumar said, “There has been no discussion amongst ourselves over seat distribution. We have had good relations with Ram Vilas ji (Paswan).”
He also took a jibe at former Bihar CM and his old ally Lalu Prasad Yadav of the RJD saying, “For some people, wife and son are family. For me, the whole of Bihar is my family.”