Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday accused opposition INDIA bloc leaders of treating the Muslim community as a “vote bank,” claiming they portray themselves as well-wishers only during election season.

Kumar alleged that while opposition parties use various tactics to se cure minority votes, they make no genuine efforts to provide meaningful representation to the community.

In a post on X, the chief minister wrote:

“When elections are here, some people (leaders of Opposition parties) are again trying to portray themselves as well-wishers of the Muslim community. This is all deception. They consider Muslims as their 'vote bank' only.”

Kumar emphasised that under the NDA government in Bihar, members of the minority community are receiving due representation across sectors.

“Without any discrimination, they are getting proper representation in every field, whereas previous governments used the Muslim community only for votes and gave them no share in power,” he said.

He urged the community not to be swayed by election-time promises:

“Remember the work we have done for you and then decide whom to vote for. Before 2005, there was no work for people of the Muslim community in the state. Prior to that, communal clashes used to occur frequently in different parts of the state.”

Since coming to power on 24 November 2005, Kumar said, the state has implemented multiple initiatives for the overall development of the Muslim community. He highlighted that in 2025-26, the budget of the Minority Welfare Department was increased 306 times, with a provision of Rs 1,080.47 crore annually.

The CM also pointed to measures taken to prevent communal incidents, including fencing more than 8,000 cemeteries since 2006, with 1,273 additional sites identified and 746 already completed.

Referring to past communal violence, Kumar said:

“When we got the opportunity to serve, the Bhagalpur communal riots of 1989 were investigated, strict action was taken against culprits, and compensation was provided to victims. Additionally, assistance in the form of pensions is being given to families affected by the riots. Earlier, there used to be so many Hindu-Muslim conflicts, but now there are no such disputes.”

Kumar added that madrasas have been registered and granted recognition by the state government since 2006.

“Teachers in madrasas are being paid salaries equivalent to those of government teachers. Furthermore, after 2007, an assistance amount of Rs 10,000 has been provided to abandoned/divorced Muslim women to help them gain employment, which has now been increased to Rs 25,000 per month.”

He also highlighted educational and entrepreneurial schemes:

“Useful schemes like Talimi Markaz and Hunar have been implemented for the Muslim community. Scholarships, free coaching, hostels, grants, and other schemes are being run for students and youth from the Muslim community. The Entrepreneur Scheme is providing benefits to young people to start their own businesses.”