File photo of PM Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra modi practically started the NDA campaign in Bihar, endorsing Nitish kumar as the face of the ruling coalition in the upcoming elections in recognizing the “great role” of the chief minister in creating a “New India, New Bihar”.
“There was a time when there was no talk of road connectivity, internet connectivity. Being a landlocked state, Bihar faced many challenges … Nitish Kumar has played an important role in our goal towards a New India, New Bihar, “said the prime minister while inaugurating projects worth Rs 900 crore built by IndianOil and HPCL to increase the supply of LPG in the state.
PM’s endorsement comes amid opposition from a section of his own party, the BJP, and Ram Vilas PaswanLJP to the idea of projecting Kumar as the face of the NDA in polls.
With Kumar, Senior Vice Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and minister of oil Dharmond Pradhan Listening to the ceremony online, the prime minister does not beat around the bush to make his views clear. “Over the last 15 years Bihar has shown that if the right government is elected in a state, the benefits of government schemes can flow to its people,” he said putting his stamp of approval on the prime minister’s leadership to ensure that the central welfare schemes will reach ordinary people.
Pradhan, for his part, said the prime minister is committed to the development of eastern India and ensuring a bright future for the people of Bihar. The projects launched by the PM form the basis of a “#AatmanirbharBihar” and will usher in a new era of prosperity for the people of Bihar.
The projects will meet the growing demand for LPG in the state, ensure the availability of clean fuel for the people of Bihar, and ensure the empowerment of women.
Among the projects, IndianOil’s LPG bottling plant in Banka will serve consumers from Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui, Araria, Kishanganj and Katihar in Bihar, along with Godda, Deoghar, Dumka, Sahibganj and Pakur in Jharkhand. The HPCL plant in Harsidih will serve East Champaran, West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Siwan, Gopalganj and Sitamarhi districts. The 679 km Durgapur-Banka gas pipeline will increase the supply of LPG to the state for bottling.
Modi had laid the foundation for the Banka gas pipeline project on February 17 last year and the Harsidih unit on April 10, 2018. The plants are expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities in Bihar.
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