Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan, more popularly known as Lalan Singh, today claimed that despite the welfare schemes launched by the Nitish government for the minorities, "Muslims do not vote for JD(U)".
While addressing a JD(U) workers' conference at Langat Singh College in Muzaffarpur on Sunday, the Minister pointed out multiple reforms during the tenure of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that have especially benefited the minority community, contrasting these with the conditions when Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi were at the helm.
"During the Lalu-Rabri era, madrasa teachers earned only Rs 4,000 per month. Under Nitish Kumar's leadership, their salaries have been aligned with the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, reflecting significant improvement in their financial standing," Union Minister Singh said.
He has been stressing the fact that CM Nitish has ensured development for the minority community through improved education and welfare. Still, Union Minister Singh complained that these efforts failed to bring in votes for Nitish Kumar or the JD-U.
The Union minister criticized the political preferences of the minority community, saying the parties which the minorities supported have not helped it develop.
In his speech, he urged party workers to not lose sight of electoral realities saying, "Do not be under any illusion that the minority community votes for Nitish Kumar."
JD(U) leader Mohammad Jamal, however has disapproved of the claim of Union Minister Singh and said that the minority community in Bihar is with Chief Minister Nitish.
"The Muslim community not only supports CM Nitish's leadership but also votes for the JD(U) in elections, as he cited fresh examples to support his claims. The recent Belaganj Assembly by-election is evidence of the minority community support to JD(U).
He highlighted fresh instances in the Lok Sabha elections also wherein a sizeable number of votes from the minority community were cast in favor of JD(U) candidates in Sitamarhi and Sheohar constituencies.
Meanwhile, state spokesperson of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Ejaz Ahmed has questioned the statement made by Union Minister Singh over the voting patterns of the minorities and demanded the JD(U) to reconsider its alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party and some other divisive ideologies in Bihar.
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