Bihar Assembly Budget Session Begins; Tejashwi Yadav Slams Government Over Governor’s Address

Patna: The Bihar Assembly’s budget session commenced on Monday with the Governor’s address, triggering a sharp response from the opposition. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan addressed the joint session of the Assembly and Legislative Council, outlining the government’s priorities and future development plans.

However, RJD leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, criticized the Nitish Kumar government, dismissing the Governor’s speech as a mere formality scripted by the administration. “The speech reflects what the government wants to project, but ground realities are entirely different,” Tejashwi said. The state’s budget for the financial year 2026-27 is scheduled to be presented on Tuesday, February 3.

Governor Highlights Development and Welfare Initiatives
Governor Khan expressed confidence that the government remains committed to ensuring public welfare through principles of justice and development. He wished all members success in the session, emphasizing that important legislative and financial work is expected to be undertaken.

The Governor highlighted significant progress in healthcare and education, noting that people are directly benefiting from new initiatives. Large-scale construction of roads and bridges aims to reduce travel time from remote areas to the capital to five hours, ensuring equitable development. He also praised the government’s efforts in empowering women through the “Jeevika Didi” program, including a scheme providing ₹10,000 to support female employment. Schemes for marginalized communities were also highlighted, reflecting the government’s commitment to inclusive growth.

Tejashwi Yadav Criticizes Law and Order and Corruption
In response, Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on the state government, citing rising incidents of rape, murder, kidnapping, and shootings. He questioned the credibility of CBI investigations and accused the government of pervasive corruption. “Bihar lags behind in every development parameter. It is number one only in crime and corruption,” he said.

Tejashwi also highlighted concerns over law-and-order issues, referencing the alleged rape and suspicious death of a student preparing for NEET. He questioned the progress of CBI investigations into the Muzaffarpur shelter home case and the Srijan scam.

Opposition Raises Concerns About Employment and Central Budget
Tejashwi further criticized the government for unclear promises regarding industrial development and job creation. “The government claims that every district will have industries and employment for one crore people, but it is unclear what kind of jobs and how they will be provided,” he said. He also alleged that the central government’s budget overlooked Bihar. “Last year, Bihar was mentioned due to elections. Now, Tamil Nadu is in focus because of elections,” Tejashwi added.

The Bihar Assembly’s budget session began on Monday and is scheduled to conclude on February 27, with the budget presentation on February 3 followed by a discussion on the Governor’s address.