Patna, Sept. 18 -- Communist Party of India (CPI) Friday claimed that the expected public participation was missing from the 'Diya Jalao' programmes organised by the state government on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday.

Bihar state secretary Ramnaresh Pandey alleged that the state government spent hundreds of crores of rupees on programmes organised to mark the Prime Minister's birthday. He said directions had also been issued to organise programmes in government and private schools, but the instructions were subsequently withdrawn.

The CPI state secretary said a large number of people in Bihar were affected by floods, while several other areas were facing drought-like conditions. He said the union Agriculture Minis...