"Conspiracy to defame Nitish Kumar": Giriraj Singh amid concerns by oppn over law and order situation in Bihar

Patna (Bihar) [India], July 19 (ANI): Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday alleged conspiracy to defame the Bihar government and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar amid the concerns raised by the opposition parties over the law and order situation in the state.
He said that criminals were given protection earlier, but they are now being caught. He said that those involved in the Paras hospital shooting will be arrested soon.
"There were settlements with the criminals before. They were given protection. However, it cannot be said today that the government, including the Chief Minister and Deputy CMs, is protecting criminals. Criminals are being caught. Those involved in the Paras hospital shooting will also be caught. However, I want to ask why these criminals are from a particular community? I allege a conspiracy to defame the Bihar government," the Union Minister Singh told ANI.
He further criticised the opposition in Bihar for not acknowledging the efforts made by the Chief Minister to generate employment opportunities in the state. He stated that the state government has already created 10 lakh jobs.
"The opposition can't speak about employment. The Chief Minister has announced plans to create one crore new employment opportunities. His government has already given 10 lakh jobs. The dropout rate of girls in schools has reduced. Women are getting employment," Singh added.
His remarks come in response to the opposition pointing out that PM Modi didn't address the law and order situation in Bihar during his speech yesterday.
Earlier on Friday, PM Modi lambasted the INDIA bloc partners, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, for halting development in Bihar and appealed to voters to "protect" the State from their "malicious" intentions ahead of Assembly polls due later this year.
Addressing a public rally in Motihari after dedicating projects worth Rs 72,00 crore for Bihar, Prime Minister accused Congress and the RJD of doing politics in the name of the poor, Dalits, backwards classes, and tribals, but they never ensure equal rights to them.
"Congress and RJD have been doing politics in the name of the poor, Dalits, backwards classes, and tribals. However, far from ensuring equal rights, they often fail to show respect to people outside their immediate families. The arrogance of these people is being witnessed by the entire Bihar today. We must protect Bihar from their malicious intentions," the Prime Minister said.
Further sharpening the attack, PM Modi stated that it was impossible for the poor to obtain such pucca houses during the rule of the RJD and Congress in Bihar.
"During the rule of the RJD and Congress, it was impossible for the poor to get such Pucca houses. In the regime of those people, folks didn't even dare to paint their homes, fearing that if they did, who knows, the landlord might just have them evicted," he added. (ANI)