Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the NDA's election campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections from Samastipur district. Addressing a massive rally near Karpoorigram, the birthplace of socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, PM Modi launched a fierce attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the main opposition party in Bihar. Before the rally, PM Modi met Karpoori Thakur's family and paid floral tributes to his statue, emphasizing NDA's strategy focusing on backward castes and social equations.
'Lantern' Attack on RJD
In a symbolic move, PM Modi asked the rally attendees to switch on their mobile phone flashlights and then questioned, "When everyone has a light in their hand, do we need a lantern (RJD's election symbol)? " This was a direct and potent jibe at the RJD, challenging the relevance of their electoral symbol.
Recalling 'Jungle Raj'
The Prime Minister reiterated the "Jungle Raj" narrative associated with Lalu Yadav's tenure, referring to the period before October 2005 when Bihar was "freed from Jungle Raj. " He accused RJD's rule of rampant extortion, murder, kidnapping, and lawlessness, which he claimed "ruined generations of Bihar. " PM Modi also alleged that the RJD-Congress alliance had obstructed Nitish Kumar's government and that the biggest sufferers of RJD's misgovernance were mothers, sisters, youth, Dalits, and backward classes.
Tackling Naxalism and Maoist Terrorism
PM Modi stated that Naxalism and Maoist terrorism flourished during RJD's "Jungle Raj. " He asserted his government's resolve since 2014 to free Bihar and the country from this menace, claiming they've "broken the back" of Maoist terror and promising a complete liberation, calling it "Modi ki guarantee.
NDA's Slogan and Development Vision
Criticizing the Mahagathbandhan as "Lathbandhan," PM Modi warned against bringing back the old days and urged the people of Bihar to defeat "Jungle Raj" once again. He expressed confidence that the NDA, under CM Nitish Kumar, would break all previous electoral records. PM Modi introduced a new slogan: "Phir Ek Baar NDA Sarkar, Phir Ek Baar Sushasan Sarkar, Jangalraj Walon Ko Dur Rakhega Bihar" (Once again NDA government, once again good governance government, Bihar will keep those of Jungle Raj away). He highlighted NDA's commitment to the poor, Dalits, and backward classes, mentioning the 10% EWS reservation and the extension of SC/ST reservation. He also pointed out that Bihar received three times more development funds under the BJP/NDA government compared to the Congress era, leading to projects like the Samastipur-Purnia six-lane highway, new railway lines, and Vande Bharat trains.
