BJP-JD(U) turned Bihar into a ‘migration hub’, says Congress
BJP-JD(U) turned Bihar into a ‘migration hub’, says Congress
M.U.H
04/11/202523
The Congress on Monday accused the BJP-JD(U) alliance of “systematically dismantling” Bihar’s industrial foundation over two decades, claiming that the ruling partners have presided over the rise of a “migration industry” rather than creating employment within the State.
“In its 20 years of rule, the BJP-JD(U) has established only the migration industry in Bihar, a State brimming with limitless industrial potential. Bihar has been virtually erased from the national map of development and industry,” Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.
Mr. Ramesh contended that Bihar, once known for its sugar, paper, jute, silk and dairy industries, had now become “synonymous with unemployment and migration”. He said that successive Congress governments after Independence had built the industrial foundations that once placed Bihar prominently on the country’s industrial map.
Recalling that period, he cited the establishment of the Barauni Oil Refinery, the Sindri and Barauni fertiliser plants, and the Barauni Dairy, describing them as milestones that strengthened India’s energy and fertiliser security while giving rise to the Sudha Dairy network. “On one hand, Congress governments laid the industrial foundation in Bihar with vision; on the other, the BJP-JD(U) government hasn’t established a single significant industry. Instead, through their corrupt and disorganised policies, they have ruined even the existing ones,” he alleged.
Mr. Ramesh pointed to the Ashok Paper Mill, whose 400-acre complex “now lies in ruins”, and noted that Bihar once had over 33 sugar mills, accounting for nearly 40% of the country’s total production. “Today, most of them lie shuttered — Sakri, Rayam, Loht, Motipur, Banmankhi, Motihari. Machines were loaded onto trucks and sold as scrap,” he said, adding that promises to revive them have remained unfulfilled.
‘Land for PM’s favoured industrialists’
He further said that the jute and silk sectors have collapsed, with Bhagalpur’s renowned silk industry “gasping its last” and 95% of weaver families “drowning in debt and poverty”.
“The Chief Minister says big industries are set up by the sea. The Union Minister says there is no land for industry in Bihar. Yet land is handed over to the Prime Minister’s favoured industrialists at one rupee per acre,” Mr. Ramesh remarked.
Questioning the BJP-JD(U)’s record, he asked why, if industries such as Barauni, Sindri, Hatia and Bokaro could once be built in landlocked Bihar, it was being deemed impossible today. “Isn’t it true that the State has been stripped of industry, leaving only a migration-based economy?” he said.
“Congress’ resolve is to revive and strengthen Bihar’s tradition of industry, employment and self-reliance, which the BJP-JD(U) government has systematically and deliberately weakened. Bihar needs reconstruction, not migration,” Mr. Ramesh asserted.
Bihar goes to Assembly polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results on November 14. The opposition INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD, Congress and Left parties, has named Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate.
