India

Nitish castigates Laloo, Rabri for ruining Bihar

PTI

Lambasting RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Bihar Chief MinisterNitish Kumar today alleged that fifteen years rule of the 'husband and wife'(Laloo-Rabri) had ruined the state.

The governments of the husband (Prasad) and wife (RabriDevi) had ruined Bihar during their rule between 1990 and 2005, he told apublic meeting here.

Taking on the RJD supremo for questioning lack ofdevelopment in Bihar, Kumar said the NDA government built the roads on whichPrasad was travelling to take out his 'Parivartan yatra'.

Denouncing the violence during his 'Adhikar Yatra' byprotesters, including contractual teachers, Kumar said there was no place forviolence and arson in democracy.

"Everybody has a right to protest in a peaceful mannerand criticize others by exercising one's fundamental rights under theConstitution ... But if the criticism takes the shape of violence and abusethen it is a matter of grave concern," he said.

Kumar also hit out at BJP MP from Purnia, Uday Singh forstaging 'Vedna rally' in his constituency last week.

It has become fashionable to criticise him but it hardlymade any difference to him, Kumar said adding he had pledged to get the specialcategory status for Bihar and would not deviate from it.

He urged the Centre to adopt a flexible approach to considerthe demand for special status to Bihar in view of the backwardness of thestate.

Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements were made inPurnia district for Kumar's visit and people carrying black cloth were strictlyprevented from reaching the meeting venue, official sources said.

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