Heated debate between the treasury and Opposition benches marked Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind's address to the joint sitting of the legislature, where issues of Ram Temple, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on quota and Prime Minister's frequent foreign tours were raked up.
Ram Sevak Singh, JD(U) MLA from Hathua in Gopalganj district outlined the Bihar government's priorities over the next five years, while senior RJD MLA Bhai Virendra, RJD MLA from Maner Assembly seat in Patna district reminded the BJP of its massive defeat in the state polls.
Making his maiden speech as the Leader of Opposition (LoP), senior BJP MLA Prem Kumar attacked the state government over deteriorating law and order situation since conclusion of the Assembly polls and at the same time extended all support to the new government for development of Bihar.
Kumar, an eight-time MLA from Gaya, took on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over his criticism of the BJP and RSS for raking up the Ram Temple issue and said that the saffron party favoured construction of the temple and would inform the Chief Minister about the date.
"Ramlala hum aaayenge, mandir wahin banayenge aur aapko (Nitish Kumar) tarikh bhi batayenge (we will go the shrine where the idol of Lord Rama is kept, construct temple there and announce the date for convenience of the Chief Minister)," the LoP said amid thunderous applause from his party colleagues and derision from the treasury benches.
The House witnessed heated discussion between the former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and RJD MLA Ramanuj Prasad over RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on quota after Manjhi interrupted Prasad for slamming Bhagwat on suggesting review of quota for the OBCs and SC/STs.
When Manjhi, the lone MLA of his party Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) in the House was interrupted by several members of the treasury benches from making an intervention, the LoP stood up to urge the presiding officer Hari Narayan Singh to let the leader speak and said that the time taken by him should be accommodated from the BJP' slot.
A first-term BJP MLA Mithilesh Tiwari caught the attention of the House by slamming the treasury benches for attacking the Prime Minister over his foreign tours and said that the state government should fulfil its promises to the people than indulging in rhetorics.
