Saturday, 24 October 2020 | Deepak K Upreti | New Delhi
Modi says NDA rule has ended jungle raj in Bihar, seeks vote for development
Kick-starting his poll campaign by raising the developmental pitch in three back-to-back rallies in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday contrasted it with the “jungle raj” under Lalu Prasad, though without naming him or his party, and said the lantern (RJD’s election symbol) has given way to electricity under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led NDA regime in the State.
He hit out at the Opposition on issues of nationalism, security and Ram Mandir and accused it of misleading the farmers on the farm laws brought in by his Government.
Extending his congratulations in advance to the people, he said the voters have taken a resolve that they would not vote for those “who have a history of making the State Bimaru” and “did not allow” Nitish to work for 10 years.
Modi said all surveys predict that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would return to power in the State. “I want to congratulate the people of Bihar, as they have announced their decision well in advance. Some people try to spread rumours at times and suggest that some “new power” is emerging, but people of Bihar are not going to be befooled by such acts,” said the Prime Minister.
He said the NDA rule has ended lawlessness in Bihar, which is far developed now with electricity doing away the need for lanterns for lighting homes.
“People who are voting for the first time, they don’t know how far Bihar has come. But, there was a time when people wouldn’t go to their homes after deboarding trains in the night. There was a time when electricity was only available to rich people. Poor people in Bihar were dependent on diyas. But now, there is no need for lanterns in Bihar,” Modi said in his second rally at Gandhi Maidan , Gaya, complimenting BJP-JDU Government in the State.
The Prime Minister kicked off his election campaign from his first rally at Sasaram and later addressed rallies in Gaya and Bhagalpur for the first phase of poll, next week. Kumar and top BJP and JD (U) leaders were in attendance.
He paid his respect to late Ram Vilas Paswan but remained silent on his LJP, now being led by his son Chirag, who has gone alone in the polls refusing to accept Nitish as the NDA’s Chief Ministerial candidate and has been hitting out at the JD (U) leader.
Bringing the focus back on the abrogation of Article 370, Modi said, “The NDA Government abrogated Article 370. These people (Opposition) say they will bring it back if they come to power. After saying this they dare to ask for votes from Bihar. Is this not an insult of Bihar,” he said.
The Prime Minister referred to the clash of Indian and Chinese soldiers in Ladakh on the Line of Actual Control saying, “The sons of Bihar lost their lives in Galwan Valley for the tricolour and ensured Bharat Mata’s head is held high. Jawans of Bihar were also martyred in Pulwama attack. I bow my head at their feet and pay respects.”
Modi took the Opposition, particularly the RJD (with which Kumar formed the Government in the State prior to 2017 before he joined hands with the BJP), to task saying it did not allow the Chief Minister to work in the State and impeded its development.
“When I as Gujarat Chief Minister and Nitish attended UPA’s central meetings, Nitish always told them – don’t stall Bihar’s development. But for 10 years, those who were defeated in Bihar were angry, they influenced the Centre and ensured Nitish cannot work. They wasted Bihar’s 10 years,” said the Prime Minister.
Modi is the main face of the NDA’s campaign factoring Kumar’s successive run as the Chief Minister inviting anti-incumbency against the NDA.
“The people who once ruled Bihar are again looking at the developing state with their greedy eyes. But, Bihar must not forget who pushed them backward, that was the time when there was worsening law and order situation and corruption in the state,” Modi said attacking RJD-rule in Bihar.
Modi credited Kumar for ending ‘jungle Raj” under the RJD governance and ending “lawlessness in Bihar”.
Modi said people of Bihar know that it is important to make Kumar the Chief Minister again for faster development of the State. The parties who are today standing against NDA are against the growth of the country, he said
Modi also paid respect to RJD’s Raghuvansh Prasad who passed away recently.
“Bihar lost its two sons recently. I pay my respects to Ram Vilas Paswan, who was with me till his last breath and gave his entire life for the welfare of the poor and Dalits. Similarly, Babu Raghuvansh Prasad Singh also worked for poor. I pay respects to him,” he said.
Modi said people of Bihar know that it is important to make Kumar the CM again for faster development of the State. The parties who are today standing against NDA are against the growth of the country, he said
“Bihar deserves quality education. Can it be ensured by those who don’t even know the value of education or by those who are working 24/7 to bring IITs and AIIMS to Bihar? asked Modi at his Bhagalpur rally.
“Each and every citizen of Bihar must cast his or her vote in the upcoming Bihar elections, following all the guidelines and social distancing norms related to coronavirus. Also, I will like to appeal to all to ‘Go Local’ while you shop for the festivals this year, promote local artisans,” he said.
Modi said without prompt action, “many, many more” would have died of Covid-19 and there would have been “unimaginable mayhem”.
