Patna: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has responded strongly to opposition leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav’s remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bihar, defending the PM’s engagement with the state and his focus on public welfare.
Speaking in Patna, Chauhan rejected Tejashwi’s claims that the Prime Minister’s visits were politically motivated. “Our Prime Minister is not confined to bungalows; he lives among the people and works for them,” Chauhan said. He further emphasised that PM Modi’s presence was not limited to states with upcoming elections, pointing to the PM’s ongoing visits to places like Madhya Pradesh and Assam, where elections are not imminent. “You can look at the previous Prime Minister,” he added, implying that PM Modi’s outreach efforts were unmatched.
Tejashwi had earlier criticised the frequency of Modi’s visits to Bihar, suggesting that they were politically motivated. “Elections in Delhi are over. Now there is an election in Bihar. Every day someone will come to Bihar. They have nothing to do with the public,” Tejashwi had remarked.
Chauhan, however, dismissed these claims, highlighting the central government’s commitment to Bihar’s development. He pointed to the upcoming release of over Rs. 20,000 crore in Kisan Samman Nidhi funds for farmers in the state, a move he described as a significant step for Bihar’s agricultural sector.
The Union Minister also spoke about the formation of a Makhana Board, which will be based on consultations with local farmers. “Bihar is a wonderful state with talented and hardworking farmers. The Makhana Board will not be created in the Krishi Bhawan in Delhi,” he said. “I will be personally engaging with Makhana farmers today to ensure their voices are heard. After all, no one knows better than them what the board should include.”
