Bihar Chief Minister sought votes from Muslims just days after BJP Union Minister Giriraj Singh referred to them as “namak haram” (traitors).
PATNA — Days after Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Giriraj Singh said he did not want the votes of “namak haram” (traitors) while referring to Muslims, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday urged members of the community to come out and vote.
On the social media platform X, Kumar made his appeal, listing out the work done by his government for Muslims, reported The Hindu.
“I humbly request all of you to not to fall into any confusion. Remember the work our government has done for you and decide whom to vote for,” Kumar said.
•वर्ष 2005 से पहले अशिक्षा, बेरोजगारी और पलायन बिहार की नियति बन गई थी। युवाओं की उच्च शिक्षा के लिए अच्छे संस्थान नहीं थे, युवाओं के सामने अंधकार था, युवाओं को उच्च शिक्षा के लिए राज्य से बाहर जाना पड़ता था।
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) October 28, 2025
•बिहार के युवाओं को अन्य राज्यों में ही रोजगार ढूंढ़ना पड़ता था तथा…
Read Also: ‘Don’t Want Votes of Namak Haraams’: Union Minister Giriraj Singh Targets Muslims at Bihar Rally
Nothing had been done for Muslims in the State before 2005, Mr. Kumar said, without naming former Chief Ministers Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi.
“Those who were in power in Bihar used the Muslim community only as a vote bank. Communal clashes were taking place frequently in different parts of the State. Since November 24, 2005, when our government was formed, continuous efforts have been made for the Muslim community,” Mr. Kumar said.
Out of 243 Assembly seats to be contested in the forthcoming Assembly election, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which in Bihar comprises the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), the BJP, the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV), the Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S), and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), has given tickets to only five Muslim candidates. This includes four seats to Muslim candidates by the JD(U), and one by the LJP(RV).
Muslims account for 17.7% of Bihar’s population, and their votes are decisive in 87 Assembly constituencies.
