Patna: Amid opposition attacks on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over crime and corruption, Bihar health minister Nishant Kumar on Thursday asserted that there would be no compromise on crime, corruption, or communalism. He pledged to carry forward the state's development agenda under chief minister Samrat Choudhary.
Nishant Kumar's Statement on Crime, Corruption, and Communalism
Nishant, son of former chief minister Nitish Kumar, spoke at length to the media after collecting his certificate following his unopposed election to the Bihar legislative council. "We won't make compromise over the issues of crime, corruption, and communalism," Nishant said in the portico of the state assembly.
He said the NDA had worked effectively in key sectors such as education, health, employment, and roads. He thanked the alliance leadership for reposing faith in him.
Vision for Bihar's Development
Stating that he would strive to meet public expectations, Nishant added that he would work to fulfill his father's vision of making Bihar a developed state. He claimed Bihar had set examples for the country in women's empowerment, environmental conservation, and implementation of prohibition. Bihar enforced total prohibition in April 2016.
"We will continue the development works under the leadership of Samrat Choudhary government," he said. "Samridh Bihar banane ke liye jo ho sakega karunga (I will do whatever it takes to build a prosperous Bihar)," he added, saying he would uphold his father's principles and ideology.
Response to Tejashwi Yadav's Remarks
Nishant, however, declined to comment on RJD functionary Tejashwi Prasad Yadav's remarks regarding his educational qualifications. Earlier in the day, Tejashwi had taken a swipe at him, saying, "I have full faith in the Bihar education minister that he will make Nishant ji an engineer."
In his election affidavit, Nishant stated: "Passed the Intermediate examination conducted by the Bihar Intermediate Education Council, Patna in 1998 from Science College, Patna. Thereafter, enrolled in the bachelor of engineering (computer science) degree course at Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi and completed five of the eight prescribed semesters up to 2001."
Nishant's reaffirmation of the NDA's stance comes at a time when the opposition has been critical of the government's performance on law and order and corruption. His pledge to continue development under Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is seen as an effort to consolidate the alliance's position in the state.
