Samastipur/Begusarai, Oct 24 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his Bihar assembly poll campaign on Friday with consecutive rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai districts. He emphasized that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is poised to surpass all previous electoral records.

During his speeches, the Prime Minister criticized the opposition coalition, referring to the INDIA bloc as a “mahalathbandhan,” a term implying discord among its members. He accused leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, the primary components of the INDIA bloc, of being “most corrupt and out on bail.” Modi highlighted their arrogance, noting their disregard for alliance partners like the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Vikassheel Insaan Party, which received an unfavorable seat allocation despite promises made to its founder, Mukesh Sahni.

At both rallies, Modi engaged the audience by asking them to illuminate their mobile phone lights, taking a jab at the RJD with the remark, “When there is so much light all around, there is no need for the lantern.”

The Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 members, is scheduled for elections in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14.

In Samastipur, Modi asserted that the NDA is united, showcasing the presence of JD(U) president Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha, leaders of their respective parties.

At the Begusarai rally, Modi recalled the alleged injustices faced by late Sitaram Kesri, whom he described as “the pride of Bihar and a towering backward leader,” claiming that the Congress presidency was taken from him due to the influence of the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Praising Nitish Kumar, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term, Modi stated that Kumar’s governance since 2005 was hindered by a hostile Congress-led UPA government, which was allegedly blackmailed by the RJD.

Modi highlighted the central assistance to Bihar over the past 11 years, claiming it is three times greater than what the state received under the previous government. He noted that Bihar has transitioned from dependency to becoming an exporter of fish and that Makhana, a local specialty, has gained wider market access.

“Bihar is now an attractive investment destination,” Modi declared, envisioning a future filled with startups driven by local youth. He asserted that such progress would not have been possible under a “jungle raj” and referenced former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s statement about government spending inefficiencies.

The Prime Minister urged voters to reject the “jungle raj” and support good governance. He specifically called on women voters, labeling them as the “worst sufferers of ‘jungle raj’,” and reminded them of the opposition’s past opposition to the women’s reservation bill.

Modi expressed confidence that the NDA would accelerate Bihar’s growth upon returning to power, contrasting it with the RJD and Congress, which he accused of corruption and attempting to claim the legacy of Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur.

He also addressed the historical context of Maoist insurgency in Bihar, stating that significant progress has been made in combating it since he took office in 2014.

Highlighting previous electoral successes in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Haryana, Modi expressed optimism that the NDA would achieve similar results in Bihar.

Before the rallies, Modi visited Karpoori Gram, named after the late Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, a prominent figure in Bihar’s backward class movement.

He thanked the attendees for their large turnout despite the upcoming Chhath festival and mentioned the recent GST rate revisions, hoping that the public is enjoying the “festival of savings.”