File Photo of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today joined the war of crores in Bihar, where assembly elections will be held by November this year. He has announced development schemes to be implemented over the next five years that he said would cost the state government Rs 2.70 lakh crore.
In numbers, that trumps Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise of Rs 1.25 lakh crore in central aid for the state.
"This is not like the package the prime minister announced. We will get funds for these projects and implement them as soon as possible," Mr Kumar said at a press conference.
Asked whether today's announcement was an unofficial election manifesto, Nitish Kumar said, "Why are you confused? You can give it whatever name. My job was to let you know of my personal resolve. What is wrong with sharing that?"
Mr Kumar, who takes on PM Modi's BJP in the state elections, has rubbished the package that the Prime Minister announced while campaigning in Bihar this month, calling it old wine in new bottle. Mr Kumar alleges that most of the schemes that the PM announced are existing plans being re-packaged with an eye on elections.
He will believe the Centre is spending that money on Bihar when he sees it, Nitish Kumar has said.
The BJP in Bihar is confident that the PM's announcement is a game changer and will give it a huge advantage in the assembly elections.
In his announcements today, Nitish Kumar has focused on the youth. He announced a student credit card scheme worth 4 lakh for any student who passes class 12, saying students could take a loan from any bank and the state government would give a three per cent discount on the interest.
The chief minister also announced an unemployment allowance for youth between 20 to 25 years of age and made ambitious plans for piped water supply to each household in Bihar and electricity to every home.