Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, April 4
Opposition BJP has criticised the Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar for enjoying hospitality at an Iftar party hosted by Islamia Group of Institutions at Phulwarisharif in the state capital.
State BJP President Samrat Chaudhury reacted by saying, “When Rome was burning, Nero was playing flute”.
Chief Minister and his finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhury, both with Islamic prayer caps on their heads, were seen taking eatables from the plate after Maghrib prayers were played on the public address system from the adjoining mosque. Phulwarisraif is predominantly a Muslim inhabited area on the western Patna. It was here, the NIA had busted the module of outlawed PFI and arrested over 20 activists last year.
A replica of the Red Fort was put behind them with posters outside declaring Nitish Kumar as the next Prime Minister. Host Khalid Anwar, a JDU MLC said Nitish Kumar would be the PM and unfurl national flag at Lal Quila in 2024 Independence Day.
Union Minister for Rural Development Giriraj Singh criticised the Chief Minister for enjoying Iftar party when Sasaram and Biharsharif were in grip of violence following communal riots. He regretted Nitish did not visit the two places to meet the victims, but to strengthen his appeasement policy towards Muslims, he attended Iftar with Red Fort in the background.
Singh said, “It is like Mungeri Lal Ke Hasin Sapne. His dream to become PM has been fulfilled by the digital Red Fort”. He added that Bihar was being made another Bangla Desh. Hindus are feeling threatened in the state. He even suggested Nitish Kumar to open CM office in a mosque.
Former Union Minister and BJP MP from Patna Saheb, Ravishankar Prasad too criticised Nitish and regretted that the Chief Minister preferred to oblige his party worker who is from Muslim community than taking care of the poor men hit by communal riots. He has lost will to rule, Prasad commented.
However, Khalid Anwar defended decision of the Chief Minister to attend Iftar party and said, “We Biharis are with Nitish Kumar, we will make him the next Prime Minister”.
During Ramzan, Chief Minister also organises Iftar at his official bungalow, 1, Anney Marg, every year.
