Union health minister and BJP president J.P. Nadda on Friday criticised the Opposition — the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) — for the lack of development in Bihar.

Ironically, he made the remarks at the inauguration of a ₹188 crore regional eye institute at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna, a premier institution established in 1983 by the Congress only and named after the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Congress was in power at the Centre and in Bihar at that time.

Imploring the people to consider the parties and leaders who are pledged to development and are carrying it forward, Nadda accused the Opposition parties of driving a wedge in the society for vested interests.

“We must think how our parties and leaders are related to development and are carrying it forward. Always remember those who are your well-wishers and always think about your welfare. They (RJD and Congress) have always divided the society. Their aim has always been to divide and do politics,” Nadda said.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, other state ministers, and legislators were present at the inaugural function. The BJP president also inaugurated various hospitals and health facilities worth ₹551 crore across the state and laid the foundation stones of 11 hospitals, primary and community health centres and training institutions worth ₹299 crore.

Nadda also boasted that the number of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) increased from six to 22 during the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the country was successfully running the largest health coverage programme.

However, around half of them are either partially functional or still under construction or waiting for the foundation stone to be laid. The one at Darbhanga was announced in 2015, but construction is yet to begin there.