Nitish requests Centre to declare Patna University as central university

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday shared the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time and humbly requested him to declare Patna University as a central university.

While addressing the gathering at the centenary celebrations of Patna University, Nitish also reminisced about his days as a student at the Patna University and hailed over the legacy of the university.

Nitish said, "It is a day of great honour that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is present for Patna University's centenary celebrations. Patna University was founded in the year when the Champaran Satyagraha took place. I hope the central government will grant the Central University status to Patna University".

The Bihar Chief Minister further invoked on Mahatma Gandhi principles.

"Mahatma Gandhi stressed on cleanliness (swacchta) while being in Champaran. Gandhi ji also spoke of literacy and education in Champaran, which did not even have a school. Champaran Satyagraha was a major event in giving farmers' their rights," he said.

Further taking a jibe at Ashok Chaudhary, saying, "I can see our former education minister Ashok Chaudhary here, I hope you will not be expelled from your party."

Last month, Ashok Choudhary, was removed from the post with immediate effect and was replaced with Kaukab Quadri after the former alleged that some in the party were fuelling rebellion against him using the false propaganda that he was trying to split the party.

Nitish also thanked the central government for infrastructure projects in the state.

"The four highway projects for which the foundation stone has been laid, include the four-laning of Aunta-Simariya section of NH-31 and the construction of six-lane Ganga Setu at a cost of Rs. 1,161 crore. The other projects are four laning of Bakhtiyapur-Mokama section of NH-31 spending Rs. 837 crore, two-lane construction of Maheshkhunt-Saharsa-Purnea section of NH 107 at a cost of Rs. 736 crore and two-lane construction of Bihar Sharif Barbigha-Mokama section of NH-82 at the cost of Rs. 297 crore. I request the Centre to construct road connecting Buxar and Banaras as the number of pilgrims travelling to Banaras is quite high," he said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone of four sewerage projects under Namami Gange and four National Highway projects worth over 3,700 crore rupees in Mokama.