Though Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s ‘prawas yatra’ was aimed at taking stock of development projects and re-discovering the historical places, politics apparently has become the hidden agenda of the tour for tourism.
’Kumar’s ‘yatra’ has been planned in such a manner that it not only touches the area uncovered during the ‘vikas yatra’, but also reaches the community, which, of late, has become critical of government.
The selection of Vaishali and Ekkma (in Saran district, where Kumar is scheduled to visit in February), is not without design. While Vaishali is a ‘garh’ (stronghold) of Bhumihar community, Ekkma is a Rajput-dominated area in the vicinity of Maharajganj, the home constituency of rebel JD (U) leader Prabhunath Singh.
Both these communities have, of late, started distancing from the NDA government. While Bhumihars got disturbed with Kumar’s proposal on ‘bataidari’ bill, Rajputs are sore over denial of their due representation in the government. The Rajputs, led by former JD (U) MP, have even organised a meeting in Patna to show their dissent.Bhumihars have a deciding presence in eastern side of Vaishali parliamentary constituency.
No wonder, Kumar’s itinerary included places like Goraul, Chintamanipur and Bijrauli under Jandaha block. That his ‘prawas yatra’ is also seen as a kickstart to the assembly elections due in November is borne by the fact that at most of the places he had sought people’s support in carrying forward the government’s agenda. Some of his cabinet colleagues like Brishen Patel and Ramashray Prasad Singh and JD (U) leader sought 10-years mandate for him for changing Bihar.
{{/usCountry}}No wonder, Kumar’s itinerary included places like Goraul, Chintamanipur and Bijrauli under Jandaha block. That his ‘prawas yatra’ is also seen as a kickstart to the assembly elections due in November is borne by the fact that at most of the places he had sought people’s support in carrying forward the government’s agenda. Some of his cabinet colleagues like Brishen Patel and Ramashray Prasad Singh and JD (U) leader sought 10-years mandate for him for changing Bihar.
{{/usCountry}}“We need to develop Bihar as fast as China. We have vowed to make Bihar a developed state by 2015,” Nitish said.