Muzaffarpur: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday lashed out at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Lalu-Rabri governments that ruled before 2005, saying that “people used to lock themselves indoors after evening” due to fear and rising crime.
Speaking at a packed rally in Muzaffarpur’s Gaighat constituency in support of NDA candidate Komal Singh, Kumar said the situation in Bihar has “completely transformed” since the National Democratic Alliance took power in November 2005. “There was a time when no one dared to step out after dark. Those days of fear are over — today, the state is moving ahead with peace and progress,” he said to loud applause.
Nitish Kumar was joined on stage by senior Janata Dal (United) leader Ashok Choudhary, MLC Dinesh Singh, and Vaishali MP Veena Devi. The chief minister listed a long series of projects, claiming his government had “rebuilt Bihar from the ground up” after years of neglect.
“Muzaffarpur has witnessed massive development,” Kumar said. “A new bypass road has reduced traffic congestion, a modern Sadar Hospital has improved healthcare, and a cancer hospital at SKMCH now offers specialised treatment within the district. An ITI institute has also been established to give young people employment-oriented training.”
He added that bridges are being built over the Gandak and Narayani rivers, while another bypass is under construction to ease traffic in the city’s eastern corridor. “Every bridge, every road built under NDA rule is a symbol of Bihar’s progress,” Kumar said.
Taking another dig at Lalu Yadav’s 15-year rule, Nitish Kumar remarked: “Before 2005, there were no proper schools, roads, or electricity. Hospitals were deserted. Today, we have 12 medical colleges, compared to just six earlier. Education, health, and infrastructure have all expanded.”
Highlighting his government’s employment record, Kumar said that over 10 lakh jobs have been created and 40 lakh people employed so far. “In the next five years, we will ensure one crore more jobs for the youth,” he promised.
Nitish Kumar also touted the NDA’s initiatives for women empowerment, noting the 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and 35% reservation in the police force. He pointed to the success of the Jeevika self-help groups, which now include over one crore women across the state.
“Women today are leading self-help groups, getting loans, running businesses, and shaping the economy. We have also started the Chief Minister Employment Scheme for Women, under which every eligible woman receives Rs. 10,000,” he said.
The chief minister ended his speech by urging voters to support NDA candidate Komal Singh, calling her “a representative of the state’s new generation of development-oriented leadership.”
“Before 2005, the government didn’t work — we changed that. Today, there is no fear, no chaos, and no darkness. There is peace, progress, and opportunity in every district of Bihar,” Nitish Kumar concluded.
