Overview

• Speaking in Arwal on Saturday, the Union minister and BJP MP from Begusarai said he does not want the votes of “namak haraams,” referring to Muslims he claimed take central welfare benefits but do not back the BJP.
• He recounted an exchange with a local cleric about the Ayushman Bharat health card to argue that beneficiaries of central schemes still withhold support for his party.
• RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary criticized the comment, accusing the BJP of shifting discourse from jobs, prices and public services to Hindu–Muslim fault lines.
• Additional pushback came from Independent MP Pappu Yadav and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who questioned the targeting of a community and urged action against Singh.
• Reports note no legal complaint or party disciplinary move at the time of publication, and point to Singh’s history of contentious statements as Bihar heads to polls with results due November 14.