Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Apr 21: Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor has launched a scathing attack on the Bihar government, accusing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of "deceiving the public" on the issue of the caste census and related promises.

Speaking to media in Bihar, Kishor demanded the release of a White Paper on the implementation of the caste census, alleging that the government’s intentions were never focused on development but rather on exploiting caste-based sentiments for electoral gains.

"Nitish Kumar is deceiving the public over the caste census, land surveys, and employment promises," Kishor asserted. "Why was the reservation cap not increased after the caste survey data was presented in the Assembly? If the JDU-BJP alliance governs both the state and the Centre, what's stopping them from raising the reservation limit?"

He further alleged, "No party is serious about the upliftment of Dalits, Mahadalits, or the landless people in Bihar. It’s all about vote-bank politics."

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Madhubani on April 24, Kishor accused the Nitish Kumar government of misusing public funds to mobilize crowds, labeling it a strategy of "optics over accountability."

"The money being spent is not for development, but to showcase false popularity. If our questions are not answered, we will collect the signatures of 1 crore people and on July 11, submit them to the Governor and the Chief Minister, and will also gherao the Bihar assembly," Kishor warned.

He also questioned the government's claim of providing Rs 2 lakh each to 94 lakh families for employment. "As per our information, not a single rupee has been disbursed. Was this just another hollow promise like PM Modi’s Rs 15 lakh? He had promised to reopen the sugar mills of Motihari and would give clarification about it during his rally at Madhubani?" Kishor questioned.

Kishor raised concerns about the land survey process, demanding clarity on the actual assistance provided to landless citizens. He reminded the government of its 2023 promise to provide Rs 1.2 lakh each to 40 lakh homeless families for housing. "I want to ask how many of these families have received the money so far?" he demanded, calling for official disclosure.

Highlighting the 2006 promise to provide land to every landless Dalit family, Kishor said, "Only 2.34 lakh families have received land till 2025. Of these, 1.2 lakh families lack basic facilities, as per the Deshpal Committee Report."

He described the land survey process, which began in 2013, as a major source of rising crime and corruption in Bihar, noting that only 20 percent of land records have been digitized. "In contrast, Andhra Pradesh has digitized 80 percent of its land despite starting later. There’s conflict in every home over land boundaries. Bribes of Rs 25–50 lakhs are being paid to retain the post of CO (Circle Officer)," he alleged.