Bihar governor Phagu Chauhan emphasised on “social and communal harmony” and “inclusive development” by the state government while addressing the joint session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council on Thursday amid ruckus by the Opposition. At the same time, the CPI-ML read a parallel speech in the House to showcase the failures of the government.

Setting the agenda and course of action for the new National Democratic Alliance government headed by chief minister and Janata Dal United leader Nitish Kumar in the state, the governor highlighted the focus areas of governance.

Chauhan’s speech had a distinct influence of what had been the thrust areas of Nitish in governance, but at the same time it did not fail to mention the welfare works of the BJP–led central government.

“Social and communal harmony is prevailing in the state. The government’s policy is of zero-tolerance on crime, corruption and communalism,” the governor said.
Chauhan added that he fully believed that the government would “tread on the path of inclusive development and go ahead towards making a developed Bihar. We see an extensive awareness about development in different categories of the people, especially the youth, women and deprived sections”.

In what could be seen as the government’s effort to address the rising crime graph in the state, Chauhan assured that it was determined to uphold the rule of law.

“The government is determined to ensure development with justice and development of every region and section of the society. It is determined to maintain the rule of law. Law and order has been implemented without any animosity or discrimination. Organised crime has been strictly curbed and this will continue in future also,” he said.

Chauhan asserted that the state government would strictly implement prohibition and continue its social campaign against child marriage and the dowry system.

While highlighting the work done by the state government over the previous years, the governor said, “New programmes will be brought for the development of the state and all sections of the society. Bihar will be taken to greater heights of progress by the state’s own efforts and assistance of the central government.”

While the governor was addressing the joint session, CPI-ML legislator Satyadeo Ram read a parallel speech to highlight the failure of the government on several fronts.

“We are continuously seeing the murder of the constitutional rights of labourers and farmers. We are fully determined to protect the socio-economic and political rights and the Constitution,” he said.

Ram, the Darauli MLA, pointed out that employment, quality education and health facilities, protection of the rights of farmers and labourers, and the rule of law and justice have come up as popular issues during the recent elections.

“Unemployment, issues pertaining to migrant workers, and making contractual workers and teachers as permanent employees remained at the centre of the elections despite desperate attempts of the BJP and the JDU to stop them,” he added.

The CPI-ML also asserted that though the NDA scraped through with a small margin, the poll mandate has come as a setback to the BJP’s efforts to make an “Opposition-free India”.