'Those voting for BJP in 2024 Lok Sabha polls will be doing themselves harm': Nitish Kumar

Kumar while addressing a function organised by his party JD(U) to mark the birth anniversary of Bheem Rao Ambedkar, said that the present regime at the Centre was doing nothing and only engaged in propaganda.

"It was all the more disturbing that the party which had nothing to do with the freedom struggle was now trying to change the country's history," he remarked while referring to the BJP government at the Centre changing the syllabus of several subjects including History in the school curriculum.

"During my recent visit to New Delhi, I met top opposition leaders and there were good talks to evolve a broader unity at the national level to counter BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," the Chief Minister said adding that leaders whom he met in New Delhi, also made statements favouring opposition unity.

It was also being discussed how many seats would be contested by which party in the next Lok Sabha elections, he further said adding that once a final decision was taken on modalities of opposition unity, he would begin canvassing in all parts across the country.

Kumar said that central agencies had lodged cases against RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family members five years back when he joined hands with RJD.

Now after five years, central agencies reopened the cases against Lalu and his family members after he deserted the NDA and joined hands with RJD again in August last year, he pointed out.

The Chief Minister said the BJP government at the Centre was misusing central agencies to harass opposition leaders in all states across the country.

The BJP government at the Centre was doing nothing and only engaged in propaganda and creating trouble for opposition leaders, he added.

Kumar called upon the people to oust from power, the BJP government at the Centre in next year's general elections.

The Chief Minister said that despite repeated requests by him, the BJP government at the Centre did not give special status to Bihar.

Those voting against BJP, would not only help in their own development but also the state and the nation, he maintained.

Kumar said that two lakh school teachers would be appointed this year.

All of them who would be appointed now would be pure government teachers, he further said adding that teachers earlier appointed on a contract basis would be allowed to continue and their salaries would also be increased from time to time.

[With UNI inputs]