Suspended BJP MP Kirti Azad on Wednesday accused the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, wherein his party is a coalition partner, of discrimination against the Mithila region and vowed to launch a state-wide agitation next month to dislodge this regime.
The former test cricketer, whose late father Bhagwat Jha Azad was a Chief Minister of the state, was upset with the state government claiming credit for a project launched earlier this week which would bring air connectivity to north Bihar.
The civil enclave at Darbhanga Airbase is the result of a long struggle led by me in which I was supported by all MPs of the region. The Nitish Kumar government, though, is in the habit of claiming credit for everything. It has the nerve to do so despite its blatant discrimination against Mithila, Azad alleged.
His remark was in reference to Mondays function where the foundation stone for the civil enclave was laid in presence of Kumar and Union ministers Suresh Prabhu, Jayant Sinha and Ram Kripal Yadav.
Azad had stormed out of the function after police detained his supporters who raised slogans in protest against him not being presented with a garland like other dignitaries present on the dais.
Nitish Kumar and his Deputy Sushil Kumar Modi are like proverbial jackals who claim credit for a prey caught by a lion. As a matter of fact, their noncooperation in providing land had led to delay in the project which ultimately went through only after the Centre decided to proceed with defence land, Azad alleged.
The government in Bihar has been a total failure and is responsible for creating an atmosphere of disappointment. I would be launching a state-wide agitation next month to dislodge this regime, he said.
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Asked about his prospects for the Lok Sabha polls next year, Azad quipped let me make it clear that I will be seeking reelection from Darbhanga. As to from which party, that too would be announced after kharmaas (inauspicious month as per Hindu calendar) ending on January 14.
Replying to a query, he said I was suspended from the BJP despite never having criticized the party or the Prime Minister. I had raised the issue of financial bungling at the Delhi Cricket Association while it was headed by Arun Jaitley.
Although Azad has not revealed his cards, sources in the opposition Grand Alliance say he would be fielded by the coalition that comprises parties like Congress, RJD and former Union Minister Upendra Kushwahas RLSP.
As per the tentative seat-sharing formula agreed upon by NDA constituents recently, the BJP is expected to give up the seat its traditional stronghold for the JD(U) which is headed by Nitish Kumar.