Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar lashed out at the Samajwadi Party regime for trying to prevent him from addressing a rally of Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti (DS4) in lucknow.
Nitish Kumar was invited by BSP rebel leader RK Chaudhary to address a rally at the Bijli Pasi Qila on Tuesday to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dalit icon Shahuji Maharaj of Kolhapur. "I am told that the ruling SP claims to be the disciples of Ram Manohar lohia but they tried to sabotage my plan to address the rally on the pretext that 'snakes could bite me'. I am touring UP and I have addressed several rallies which has unsettled many people in UP," said Kumar.
The Bihar CM said, "We too are disciples of lohia. The Bihar Government has implemented 50 per cent reservation for women in urban local bodies and Panchyati Raj institutions phenomenally contributing to the empowerment of women. Since 2006, more than 50 per cent women are being elected to these two bodies.''
"Following lohia and Karpoori Thakur, the Bihar Government has taken steps for overall economic and social empowerment of the OBCs and Dalits. We have classified reservation for OBCs as backwards, extremely backward and most backward so that the benefit of 20 per cent reservation reaches all communities listed as OBSs,'' said Kumar. He asked, "Are there any such thing that is being done in UPIJ"
Praising former BSP leader RK Chaudhary, Nitish Kumar said, "I am happy to see that Chaudhary is carrying forward the unfinished agenda of Dr Ambedkar and Kanshiram for the empowerment of Bahujan Samaj."
Criticising BSP chief Mayawati, the Bihar CM said, "Merely raising slogans to garner votes will not work. One must have the ability to lead and take people along, otherwise the goal of empowering Bahujan Samaj will be rendered difficult''.