The ‘India’ alliance uses Muslims only as a vote bank: Chirag Paswan

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Friday accused the opposition alliance ‘India’ (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav of using Muslims only as a vote bank and always avoiding their true representation. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Paswan said, “The ‘India’ alliance is playing politics in the name of Yadavs and the Sahni community, but it only talks about Muslims at the time of elections. Muslims constitute about 18 percent of Bihar’s population, yet the ‘India’ alliance has not nominated any Muslim leader for the post of Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, or any other major post.” He added, “Tejashwi Yadav belongs to the Yadav community, which constitutes about 13 percent of the population, while Mukesh Sahni belongs to the Sahni community, which constitutes about 2 percent. But despite the 18 percent Muslim population, Muslims have been deprived of power. These people only know how to get votes by scaring Muslims and inciting them on emotional issues; they have never intended to give them real representation.” Paswan also targeted VIP chief Mukesh Sahni. He said, “Mukesh Sahni, who plays politics in the name of the Sahni community, has forgotten his own community. He only sought the post of Deputy Chief Minister for himself, without saying a word about the community’s rights. Now he is only playing selfish politics.” The LJP (Ram Vilas) chief said that the Grand Alliance is trying to divide the community on the basis of caste and religion, while the central government is running schemes equally for all sections. He said, “In 2005, my father, Ram Vilas Paswan, had said that the Chief Minister of Bihar should be from the Muslim community, but even then no one paid attention. Even today, Muslims are being used only for votes.” Paswan claimed that even Muslims have now understood that Tejashwi Yadav and his allies only remember them during elections, and do not give them any place in governance and power. He said that his party is working for the development of all sections, while the Grand Alliance is playing politics of dividing the society on the basis of caste and religion.