PATNA, Aug. 22 -- In a bid to win over the Muslims in Bihar ahead of Assembly elections due in October-November, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday tried to instil confidence among them that they won't be allowed any problem in the state. Kumar was addressing the centenary celebrations of the Bihar State Madrasa Education Board in Bapu Auditorium on Thursday. "Minority people will not be allowed to face any problem. If there is any problem, tell us. It will be resolved immediately. We have never discriminated in development work and worked for all sections. We believe that everyone in the society should get benefits, whether backward, Dalit or Mahadalit," he said. CM Kumar's participation in this ceremony and direct communication with Muslims holds special significance as it is believed that it would go a long way in assuring the Muslim community that his government is fully committed to their development and safeguarding their interests. Muslims, as per recent caste survey, form nearly 18% of the population in Bihar. JD(U) leaders said that recently there has been resentment in the Muslim community over the special intensive revision (SIR) and the Waqf Amendment Bill and some of the Muslim leaders had even boycotted his Iftaar party during the holy month of Ramadan. Kumar reminded the community of the work done by the previous government and compared it with what has been done after 2005 when he became the CM of state. "We are still working for the minority community. The government before us did nothing for them. Even today they are not doing anything. Earlier there was nothing, no work was done and the situation was bad. Before 2005, no work was done for the Muslim community. After the formation of the new NDA government, the work was done for the Muslims. Earlier there used to be a lot of quarrels. Since 2006, the graveyards have been fenced. Today, madrasa teachers are being given salaries equivalent to government teachers," said Kumar. Kumar also reminded them of assistance provided to divorced/abandoned Muslim women which has been increased from Rs.10,000 in 2007 to Rs.25,000 for standing on their own. "The budget of the Minority Welfare Department was only Rs.3.54 crore in 2004-05, and has now increased to Rs.1,080 crore," he said. Taking a dig at the Opposition, Kumar said, "We have been working in the interest of all the people. Whatever the Opposition people say here and there does not mean anything. We remain engaged in our work." JD-U MLC and Madrasa Board member Khalid Anwar said that after Nitish Kumar took power, many big works were done for the Muslim community. "Whether it is strengthening the Madrasa Board or running schemes for minorities, Nitish Kumar has always given priority. No one can ignore the Muslim community while he is the CM. People are excited by his participation in the centenary celebrations and are eagerly waiting for his address," said Anwar. BJP media in-charge Danish Iqbal also lauded Nitish Kumar's efforts to help develop the Muslim community in the state and not exploit them for their votes. "Nitish Kumar never used Muslims for votes. He did work for their betterment in bulk. Former CM Lalu Prasad used Muslims only for votes but never thought of their betterment," he said. In reacting to Nitish's latest overtures to woo Muslims, RJD spokesperson Ejaj Ahmed said that Muslims know what Nitish Kumar has been doing to them. "They know how he supported the Waqf bill and stood by the RSS ideology. They know how he stood by the BJP against Muslims," he said. Experts feel that Kumar's taking part in the event was not merely an event but a stage to disseminate his political message. "This programme is not just an educational or religious event, but through this Nitish Kumar wants to give a big political message. While RJD has a traditional hold on the Muslim vote bank, JD-U is now trying to connect this class with itself again. It is certain that in the election year, this dialogue can prove to be an important turning point in Bihar politics and the government may announce something to address their grievances," said Gyanendra Yadav, associate professor of Sociology, College of Commerce, Patna....