INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Bihar is dealing with a deep political crisis as the relations in between judgment coalition partners JD(U) and Lalu Prasad-led RJD continue
RJD MLA Sudhakar Singh was forced to resign as the state agriculture minister in October for speaking against primary minister and JD(U)s
highest leader Nitish Kumar
Without calling Sudhakar, deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav had said earlier this month that if someone spoke versus the Grand Alliance leader, he
was supporting the BJP policies
In an interview to Kumar Shakti Shekhar, Sudhakar Singh again assaulted Nitish Kumar and blamed him for the concerns of the states farmers
Edited excerpts from the interview: Why have you adopted an anti-Nitish Kumar stand?I have actually not embraced any anti-Nitish Kumar stand
He supports commercialisation of farming in the country
In contrast, we are battling against it because 80 percent of our population depends on agriculture
It was Nitish Kumar who had actually laid the foundation of the 3 farm laws as the Union farming minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee
government of the NDA in the year 2000
The draft basic structure of the three farm laws, which were withdrawn in 2021, was prepared by Nitish
In Bihar, there is no law
There is no system to look after agriculture
If Bihar does not have a law for mandis, Nitish is directly accountable for it
There is a significant rip-off relating to the use of fertilisers in Bihar
An aid loot in fertilisers is going on in the state
According to data, 100 kg of fertiliser per hectare was consumed in the state in 2005 against the national average of 95 kg per hectare
In 2022, the state consumed 245 kg of fertiliser per hectare versus the national average of 135 kg
It is an unsafe indication
It protests natural or natural farming
Excess usage of fertilisers is ruining farming
As it is, Bihar has the fertile Ganga soil
It supplies natural strength to soil
Water accessibility in the state is more than the other states
Plentiful labour is also available
Regardless of these favorable signs, production of foodgrains is unfavorable
Input expense has been increasing
The mismatch is due to fudged statistics
Dispute is being diverted and diluted
In reality, fertilisers are not reaching the farmers
There is a major rush for the purchase of fertilisers
Farmers are lathi-charged
Law and order problem is arising due to deficiency of fertilisers
Fertilisers are being smuggled to Bangladesh and Nepal
A package of fertiliser costing Rs 266 is being cost Rs 1500
What kind of guideline is it, honourable CM? This is the factor behind my differences of opinion with the CM
Do you not embarrass your own government and CM by speaking against them?The Vidhan Sabha (assembly) is individualss biggest platform
I have been raising these concerns for the previous 17 years
Should I change my questions? Concerns must be asked of the ruling party
My concerns are mentioned in RJDs manifesto
As an agriculture minister, why did you speak against a department which you were heading?I spoke the fact
Why should anyone feel embarrassed? If you do, then it means you are accepting that there is no mandi in Bihar
A minister is not a show piece
She or he is a policy-maker
As a minister, I wanted to correct the imperfections of the agriculture department
Your father Jagdanand Singh is the president of the Bihar system of RJD which is a popular union partner of the ruling Mahagathbandhan
Do your remarks against Nitish Kumar put him in a dilemma?My father is not dealing with any dharm-sankat or duvidha
His function is to run the celebration
My questions are as an MLA
An MLA shoulders the double responsibility-- towards the party and the people of the constituency
I am not speaking or doing anything against my party
Other Than for Nitish Kumar, there is not any crisis for anyone
His battle versus the BJP is not about policies but it is a clash of characters
For me, my nation is above personalities.Did Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav call you a BJP agent?No
Tejashwi has warned those who are following the BJP policies
His caution was for all such people consisting of Nitish Kumar
The power to make law is with the CM
For that reason, Tejashwi did not speak versus me
Who is a BJP agent? It is Nitish Kumar, who is walking on the BJPs policies
Nitish does not wish to follow the Mahagathbandhan policies
Tejashwi understands that I can not work as a BJP agent because I am advocating for several firms to buy farmers fruit and vegetables and I
am likewise in favour of mandis.Do you think disciplinary action might be taken against you?The party is supreme
The nationwide president (Lalu Prasad) is all effective
His choice will be appropriate to me.Do you think Tejashwi ought to change Nitish Kumar as the Bihar CM?I am of the firm belief that
Tejashwi Yadav ought to be declared as CM
All need to decide and make him the CM
Individuals of Bihar chose him as CM
We are currently running behind schedule
Samay ke peechhey jaa rahey hain
Everybody knows who is responsible for this
What do you have to state about the relationship between Nitish Kumar and the BJP?As I told you earlier, Nitish Kumars clash has to do with
characters and not policies
His clash is with PM Narendra Modi and house minister Amit Shah
Therefore, Nitish and BJP can join again.Do you think the Mahagathbandhan federal government will last till 2025? Whosoever may be the
leader however the federal government will last till 2025
It will complete the period however I can not state in what form and who will be the leader by then
There is a political and management crisis now.Is there a possibility of a Maharashtra occurring in Bihar with the split of the JD(U)? It is
a rumour being spread by the BJP
The entire JD(U) may shift to the BJP but I do not believe the celebration will split
If Sushil Kumar Modi had actually been the deputy CM, this day would not have been there for JD(U)
Nitish is comfortable with BJP-led NDA even today
He is naturally matched for them.
