Bihar Government Defends Mumbai Bihar Bhavan Project Amid MNS Opposition
The Bihar government has issued a strong response to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Yashwant Kiledar's threat to halt the proposed Bihar Bhavan construction in Mumbai. Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary boldly challenged the MNS, stating that this is not a monarchy and that Mumbai and Maharashtra belong to the entire country.
Minister's Defiant Stand Against MNS Threats
Responding to the MNS threat, Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary dared the party to stop the construction of the planned 30-storey Bihar Bhavan near Mumbai Port Trust. This comes days after Kiledar declared that his party "won't allow" the construction of the bhavan to proceed.
"What kind of language is this? How can an MNS leader speak like this?" Choudhary questioned. "We dare the MNS to stop construction of Bihar Bhavan in Mumbai. We will go ahead with its construction soon."
Substantial Investment for Migrant Housing
The Bihar Cabinet recently approved a significant allocation of Rs 314.2 crore for this ambitious project. The development will be situated on a 0.68-acre plot near Mumbai Port Trust and is specifically designed to house Bihar migrants residing in the city.
This substantial investment reflects the Bihar government's commitment to providing support and accommodation for its citizens who have migrated to Mumbai for employment and better opportunities.
MNS Opposition and Local Priority Concerns
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has strongly opposed this move, with leader Yashwant Kiledar expressing concerns about misplaced priorities. On January 20, Kiledar emphasized: "We have bigger concerns about prioritizing local issues like farmers' problems, expensive education, inflation, and unemployment."
He further questioned: "We wonder why the Bihar government is spending Rs 314 crore on a 30-storey building in Mumbai. They should build a hospital in Bihar to help cancer patients."
RJD Criticism of Government Priorities
Meanwhile, Bihar's opposition party Rashtriya Janata Dal has criticized both the MNS remarks and the Nitish Kumar government's decision, labeling it as "misplaced priority." RJD MP Sudhakar Singh expressed shock at the government's decision.
"The Bihar government's decision to build a Rs 314 crore Bihar Bhavan in Mumbai is shocking when cancer patients in Bihar lack treatment facilities," Singh stated. "With this money, a modern cancer hospital could be built in Bihar, saving patients' lives and struggles to travel elsewhere. Bihar needs treatment facilities, not a Mumbai Bhavan."
BJP Support for Government Decision
BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan also condemned the MNS leader's statement while supporting the proposed Bihar Bhavan as the state government's legitimate "policy decision." However, he criticized the threatening language used by the MNS.
"But language of threat used by MNS is unpardonable," Paswan emphasized, defending the government's right to make policy decisions for the welfare of Bihar migrants in Mumbai.
The controversy highlights the ongoing debate about resource allocation, migrant welfare, and regional priorities in Indian politics, with the Bihar government standing firm on its decision despite opposition from multiple quarters.
