As the Bihar Assembly elections draw closer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun his poll campaign. He visited the state on Friday and addressed a massive public rally in Samastipur, where he launched a strong attack on the Opposition and reaffirmed the NDA’s commitment to “good governance”.
Taking a direct swipe at RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, Modi invoked the state’s memories of “Jungle Raj”, saying Bihar would not allow those days to return. “Phir ek baar, NDA sarkar; phir ek baar sushasan sarkar; jungle raj waalon ko door rakhega Bihar. (Once again, NDA government, once again good governance; Bihar will keep jungle raj away.)”
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Bharat Ratna awardee and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur at his native village, Karpoori Gram. Modi said that it was due to the blessings of leaders like Thakur that individuals from humble and backward backgrounds, such as CM Nitish Kumar and himself, were able to rise and serve the people.
He praised Thakur for his lifelong efforts toward social justice, describing his contribution to independent India as “monumental.” “Karpoori Thakur ji was our inspiration. His role in bringing social justice to independent India was immense. We had the good fortune of honouring him with the Bharat Ratna. He gave primacy to the backward and the poor, and we continue to draw inspiration from his values,” Modi said.
‘Under Nitish Babu’s leadership, NDA will break records’
Responding slyly to Opposition CM pick Tejashwi Yadav’s remarks that the NDA had not declared Nitish Kumar as its chief ministerial face, Modi said, “Even this time, under the leadership of Nitish Babu, the NDA is going to break past records.”
Praising Kumar’s tenure, PM Modi added, “It was in October 2005 that Bihar was liberated from Jungle Raj, and good governance of Nitish ji began. But for the next 10 years, the Congress at the Centre tried to keep Bihar backward. They were taking revenge on you for voting for NDA. The RJD would also pressurise the Congress not to give any project to Bihar. With all our allies, Nitish ji is working day and night. He has taken Bihar out of problems. Now a new era of development has begun in Bihar.”
Highlighting welfare initiatives
The Prime Minister also outlined several welfare measures introduced by his government for the people of Bihar. He mentioned that the all-India quota for medical education had no reservation for backward classes or the poor until the NDA government changed that policy. He also highlighted that it was his government that gave constitutional status to the OBC Commission — a long-pending demand fulfilled under the NDA.
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Referring again to Karpoori Thakur’s advocacy of education in one’s mother tongue, Modi said the new National Education Policy has ensured that every student has the opportunity to study in their local language.
He further pointed out that fish production in Bihar had doubled in recent years and spoke of the Makhana Board established by the Centre, calling it “a revolution” for local farmers and small traders.
As the rally drew to a close, Modi asked the crowd to turn on their mobile flashlights. As thousands of lights lit up the venue, he smiled and quipped, in a jibe at the RJD’s poll symbol: “Itni light hai, har ek ke haath mein light hai, to lalten chahiye kya? Bihar ko lalten aur unko saathi nahi chahiye.” (There is so much light, everyone has light in their hands—so does Bihar still need the lantern? No, it doesn’t.)
