Patna, June 20 (UNI) "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech neither fills the stomach nor provides employment", taunted leader of opposition in Bihar assembly Tejaswi Prasad Yadav, alleging that the BJP was misusing hard earned money of the people of Bihar for its publicity.

Taking pot shots at the official programme and public meeting of Modi in Siwan, Yadav told news persons here on Saturday that the "PM's speech was devoid of content" and alleged that the manner in which the official function was organised, it appeared more like a function of the BJP.

The expenditure on the event was incurred by the Bihar government, he said, adding that over Rs 100 crore was spent on a single such function. The amount spent was actually the hard-earned money of the people of Bihar, he alleged, adding that the people of the state do not get the benefit of their money.

The BJP, which boasts of being the richest party in the world, misused the public funds of Bihar where salary payment is not on time, the dues of MNREGA workers were pending for six months, scholarships were not given to students but the government's fund was being drained out on glorifying a particular party. The common people of Bihar were upset with the expenses incurred in the rally, he alleged.

The entire government machinery was pressed into service to bring the crowd for the PM's event but people did not turn up, which indicates that they were no more interested to hear the "jumlas" of the Prime Minister.

Accusing the government of not checking corruption, Yadav said it was rampant at every level in Bihar where the corrupt people were being patronised.

Tejaswi said that the railway engines manufactured in Bihar were now being exported but the rail factory was the contribution of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav who as the railway minister, worked to make the railways profitable along with setting up a railway engine factory, wheel factory, coach factory in Bihar and provided convenience to the common passenger by reducing the railway fares every year, but contrary to it PM Modi has introduced expensive trains like Vande Bharat.

He asked Modi to tell the people about any factories he set up in Bihar, revived sugar mills and created employment opportunities or provided jobs.

The RJD leader boasted of reviving the Riga sugar mill during his 17-month tenure and provided means of employment to the people of Sitamarhi.

The PM also did not tell about the migration which took place during the last 20 years of the NDA rule in Bihar, Yadav said, and alleged that instead of speaking about the issues of Bihar including migration, unemployment, establishing industries, IT park, textile park, education and health Modi made all tall promises.

Speaking about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Yadav said Bihar now does not need an "unconscious chief minister who is only interested in protecting his power and chair".

Exasperated at the law and order situation of the state, Yadav alleged that crime was at its peak and the morale of criminals has gone up to such an extent that they do not even hesitate in firing bullets in the protected areas. He said that PM Modi did not utter even a single word on the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar during his deliberations.

Venting his ire on the recent row over the alleged insult to BR Ambedkar's photo by Lalu Yadav, the RJD leader blamed the PM of remaining silent to the insult of Ambedkar by none other than Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Yadav accused the PM of misleading the people of the state by repeating the ostentatious foundation stone laying, inauguration and commencement of work announcements that have been made continuously since 2015. He asked Modi to explain why Bihar was the worst state in the country in terms of poverty, unemployment, per capita income, investment, literacy rate and industrialization in the reports of Niti Aayog and many standard agencies of the central government "despite the double engine powered NDA government ruling for the last 20 years in Bihar and for 11 years at the Centre".

The RJD leader said Modi should also answer "why Dalits were unsafe in Bihar, farmers worried, women were oppressed and people were dying in hooch tragedies".

UNI RS RN