Lok Janshakti Party president Chirag Paswan on Saturday said that employment for migrants, who have returned to Bihar from across the country, should be the top priority for the ruling NDA as it prepares for the State Assembly polls.
With some of his comments seen to be critical of Chief MinisterNitish Kumar-led Government, Paswan said he never doubted Kumar's intentions but there have been “shortcomings” which he as an honest ally has highlighted.
“Nitish ji emerged as an alternative to jungle raaj and was known as 'vikas purush'. But, yes, there have been shortcomings. I am not levelling allegations but offering suggestions for improvement as an honest ally," he told PTI.
Paswan said the Bihar government's handling of the migrant crisis,triggered by the nationwide lockdown to curb COVID-19, “could have been better" and counted law and order as a concern, saying serious crimes like murder and robbery have been rising.
The Lok Sabha MP from Jamui in Bihar called for a common minimum programme to guide the NDA government in case it retains power.
The assembly elections in Bihar are due in October-November.
Employment, especially for its migrant population, health and education should be the top priorities for the NDA, Paswan said.
Asserting that the opposition alliance, which includes the RJD and Congress, is not in a position to pose any serious challenge to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, he said the saffron combine may win more than 225 of the state's 243 assembly seats.