Bihar CM, other BJP leaders take part in Ashirwad Ka Diya event to mark PM’s birthday

Bihar CM, other BJP leaders take part in Ashirwad Ka Diya event to mark PM’s birthday The Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) slammed the waste of public money even as Bihar reels under flood aftermath The ceremonial “Ashirwad Ka Diya” event, organised to commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, was inaugurated on Thursday in Patna with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and several senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) figures in attendance. The gathering, staged at the historic Gandhi Maidan, featured a series of cultural performances, lighting of oil‑lamps and a public address by the chief minister, who praised the prime minister’s “visionary leadership” and urged citizens to “keep the flame of development burning.” The event was billed as a “people’s celebration” and attracted thousands of locals and party workers. The BJP’s state unit highlighted the symbolic significance of the lamp‑lighting ceremony, describing it as a reminder of the “light of progress” that the central government is bringing to the nation’s most vulnerable regions..

Party spokesperson Sanjay Singh said the programme would reinforce “the bond between the central leadership and the people of Bihar,” especially at a time when the state is grappling with a series of challenges, ranging from deteriorating law‑and‑order conditions to a strained fiscal position. The party’s narrative framed the celebration as a counter‑point to the opposition’s criticism of its developmental record. Opposition leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), however, seized the opportunity to condemn what they called an extravagant waste of public resources..

RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, speaking from his home in Patna, accused the ruling coalition of “squandering taxpayers’ money on pomp while the state is still reeling from the flood disaster that has left over 200,000 families displaced.” He added that the event had cost an estimated ₹12 crore, a sum that could have been redirected to relief camps, reconstruction of damaged roads and the provision of clean drinking water. The RJD’s statements were echoed by several of its legislators during a press conference held earlier in the day. The flood situation in Bihar has been described by officials as one of the worst in a decade..

Heavy monsoon rains over the past month have caused the Ganges and its tributaries to overflow, inundating districts such as Khagaria, Begusarai and Madhepura. According to the state disaster management authority, more than 1.3 million people have been affected, with 2 000 deaths reported and an additional 4 000 injuries. Relief operations have been hampered by damaged infrastructure, and the United Nations has flagged the region as a high‑risk zone for water‑borne diseases in the coming weeks..

In response, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reiterated the state’s commitment to relief work, stating that “the Ashirwad Ka Diya event does not divert any funds earmarked for flood response.” He argued that the ceremony was funded entirely through private donations and party contributions, not from the state treasury. The chief minister also announced a fresh allocation of ₹150 crore for flood‑relief measures, promising accelerated repairs to embankments and the distribution of food kits to the most vulnerable households. The BJP’s narrative was reinforced by a senior aide to the prime minister, who visited the site of the event and held a brief meeting with local officials..

The aide praised Bihar’s “resilient spirit” and suggested that the lighting of the diyas symbolised a “nationwide commitment to rebuilding, even in the face of natural calamities.” He also hinted at the possibility of a central‑government grant to supplement the state’s reconstruction budget, though no concrete figures were disclosed. Meanwhile, civil‑society groups have raised concerns about the timing of the celebration. The Bihar Water Authority, an independent watchdog, issued a statement warning that large gatherings could exacerbate the spread of water‑borne infections, especially in crowded venues where sanitation facilities are already under strain..

The organization called for stricter health protocols, including mandatory mask‑wearing and the provision of clean drinking water stations throughout the venue. Local business owners expressed mixed reactions. Some vendors welcomed the influx of visitors, noting that the event generated a temporary boost in sales for food stalls and souvenir sellers..

Others, however, complained that the allocation of police and municipal resources to the ceremony had left nearby flood‑affected neighbourhoods with reduced security patrols and delayed waste‑collection services. “We are happy for the business, but the people who lost everything are still waiting for help,” said Abdul Rahman, a shopkeeper in the nearby Sahebganj market. Political analysts suggest that the BJP’s decision to stage the event despite the disaster reflects a broader electoral strategy..

With Bihar’s next assembly elections slated for 2025, the party appears to be cementing its alliance with the Nitish Kumar‑led Janata Dal (United) by showcasing unity and a shared narrative of development. Ananya Mukherjee, a professor of political science at Patna University, noted that “high‑visibility events are a way for the BJP to maintain relevance in a state where it has traditionally been the junior partner.” She added that the opposition’s criticism could resonate with voters who are fatigued by ongoing hardships. The RJD, for its part, has pledged to file a formal complaint with the Bihar State Finance Commission, seeking an audit of the event’s expenditures..

The party’s legal team is reportedly preparing a petition to demand greater transparency in the use of party‑.