Patna: A verbal duel erupted in the legislative assembly on Friday after the NDA govt led by CM Samrat Choudhary won the floor test, with the ruling alliance projecting unity and reaffirming its commitment to state’s development even as the opposition questioned the state’s financial health. BJP leaders, including state president and Darbhanga MLA Sanjay Saraogi, said the govt remains dedicated to fulfilling people’s aspirations and making the state prosperous, while dismissing claims of a fiscal crisis.BJP spokesperson Niraj Kumar released a comparative chart of other states and said Bihar’s debt stands at approximately just 35% of its GSDP, which reflects the state’s robust economic position.He was reacting to the statement made by the leader of the opposition in legislative assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, on the floor of the House during the vote of confidence.Deputy CM Bijendra Prasad Yadav also refuted Tejashwi’s claim regarding a financial crisis in the state. “Neither is the treasury empty, nor is there any kind of financial difficulty. The state govt possesses adequate resources for development works, and no scheme will be put on hold. Borrowing, too, has its own specific policy. The GoI as well as the USA borrows money. I assure you that Bihar’s treasury is not empty. Attempts are being made to spread confusion without any factual basis,” he said.However, the RJD leader said, “While every govt incurs debt, the burden of debt on Bihar has surged to approximately Rs4 lakh crore. The per capita debt stands at around Rs27,000. The state exchequer is in a precarious condition and many people are not even receiving their pensions and salaries. If the govt claims it has money, then it doesn’t need to take loans. There is no money in the state treasury.”BJP’s Niraj released a chart showing Rs9 lakh crore debt on Tamil Nadu, Rs8.60 lakh crore on Uttar Pradesh, Rs8.10 lakh crore on Maharashtra, Rs7.30 lakh crore on Karnataka, Rs7.20 lakh crore on West Bengal, Rs6.40 lakh crore on Rajasthan, Rs4.27 lakh crore on Punjab and Rs4.10 lakh crore on Bihar.After the floor test, Saraogi said the NDA govt was committed to the development of Bihar. “The NDA govt in the state remains dedicated to fulfilling the aspirations of the people,” Saraogi said and extended his best wishes to CM Samrat.Former deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha expressed his gratitude to everyone for their support to the NDA govt in Bihar. He also extended his best wishes to the CM and both deputy chief ministers, Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav. He said there was, there is and there will be an NDA govt tomorrow, too.LJP(RV) state president and Govindganj MLA Raju Tiwari and BJP minister Ram Kripal Yadav also took a swipe at Tejashwi.
