Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today exhorted the Dalits to hold key to power or their progress was not possible.
“Till you hold political key, your progress is not possible,” Manjhi said addressing a function of the “Mushar” caste men here.
Manjhi had in the past reminded Dalits of their numerical strength (over 22 per cent in Bihar) and mooted a Dalit as a future Chief Minister.
Expressing indebtedness towards his predecessor Nitish Kumar for posing faith in him and making him the Chief Minister, he said we (Dalits) are taking benefit of it. Earlier, Manjhi was in his traditional best playing drums with fellow caste men.
He emphasised on cleanliness and said for creating awareness about cleanliness and maintenance of toilets in rural areas, his government would recruit about 45,000 “safai mitra” (cleanliness friends).
The Chief Minister said his government was working on uplifting the education level among weaker sections and protect them from atrocities.
