Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially launched the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) election campaign for Bihar, delivering strong speeches at rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai. During his addresses, he characterized the opposition as a ‘coalition of thugs,’ primarily composed of ‘people out on bail,’ while confidently forecasting a record-breaking victory for the NDA.
Speaking in Samastipur’s Karpoorigram, the ancestral village of the revered socialist leader Karpoori Thakur, Modi accused the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress of squandering Bihar’s resources and time. He drew a clear distinction between the ‘fractious’ INDIA bloc and the ‘cohesive’ NDA, making a special appeal to young voters.
“Your parents ended ‘Jungle Raj’ in October 2005. Exactly 20 years later, you have a crucial responsibility to ensure prosperity by voting for good governance,” Modi urged the youth. The term ‘Jungle Raj’ is frequently used by political adversaries to describe the period of RJD rule from 1990 to 2005, highlighting concerns about law and order during that era.
Modi further remarked that the candidates put forward by the opposition clearly signaled a desire to revert to the past, warning that their campaign rhetoric was reminiscent of ‘Jungle Raj.’
He emphasized the NDA’s unified front in the assembly polls, stating that the alliance is fighting “under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.” This statement was seen as a direct response to opposition claims that the BJP intended to replace the incumbent Chief Minister after the elections.
“Nitish Kumar has worked tirelessly to pull Bihar out of its dark age and usher in a new era of development. Now, Bihar must accelerate its journey towards self-reliance and prosperity, ensuring true social justice,” Modi added.
The Prime Minister also held the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government responsible for hindering Bihar’s development over the past decade. He recounted how the Congress-RJD alliance at the Centre had created obstacles for Nitish Kumar’s government, driven by an “revengeful” attitude towards Bihar for supporting the NDA.
Modi cautioned the public, stating that progress and the RJD’s ‘Jungle Raj’ cannot coexist, and stressed that the rule of law, established by Nitish Kumar, is the foundational requirement for development.
He urged vigilance against the opposition’s campaign tactics, which he described as threatening and often referencing crude weapons and violence in their songs, suggesting a potential return to ‘Jungle Raj’ if they were given power. He noted that the opposition’s choice of candidates also reflected their intentions.
Addressing a rally in Begusarai, Modi accused the RJD of damaging the region’s industrial corridor. He shared his own experience of poverty, contrasting it with those born with privilege, and reiterated his commitment to poverty eradication.
Modi highlighted that during the RJD’s rule, extortion, murder, ransom, and kidnapping were rampant, with land often exchanged for jobs. He stated that the RJD’s ‘Jungle Raj’ had negatively impacted generations, particularly affecting women, youth, Dalits, and backward classes.
Recalling the treatment of former Congress chief Sitaram Kesri, Modi criticized the Congress for its alleged mistreatment of leaders from Dalit and backward communities, emphasizing their focus on dynastic politics over the welfare of ordinary families.
He also pointed out the internal conflicts within the opposition, noting their inability to maintain alliances despite their public pronouncements. He remarked on the RJD’s arrogance, despite a lack of electoral success in the past two decades.
Modi asserted that Bihar had received significantly more funds under the NDA government compared to the Congress regime. He also mentioned that during the RJD’s tenure, Dalits and backward classes faced closed doors in police stations, and Maoist activities disrupted daily life. He pledged to eradicate such threats, stating that the backbone of Maoist terror had been broken.
Concluding his address in Samastipur, Modi symbolically contrasted the NDA’s progress with the RJD’s past, asking people to switch on their mobile lights, signifying the widespread reach of electricity, and stating there was no room left for the RJD’s lantern symbol. He reiterated that the state would keep those responsible for ‘Jungle Raj’ at bay.
Modi accused both Congress and RJD of prioritizing family legacies and attempting to co-opt the ‘Jananayak’ (people’s hero) title associated with Karpoori Thakur. He labeled the RJD’s leading family as the most corrupt in the state and the Congress’s first family as the most corrupt in the country, urging people not to trust them, especially as Bihar progresses towards greater employment opportunities.
He stated that Karpoori Thakur served as an inspiration for the NDA’s mission to fulfill his vision. As the first Prime Minister to visit Karpoorigram, Modi also paid his respects to Thakur and met with his family members.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his gratitude to Modi for focusing on the state’s development, remarking that his government had started the development process by first restoring the rule of law.
Among those present at the rallies were NDA leaders Samrat Choudhary, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan, Upendra Kushwaha, Nityanand Rai, and Sanjay Jha, along with all 10 NDA candidates from Samastipur.
In response, Tejashwi Yadav, the opposition’s Chief Ministerial candidate, countered Modi’s remarks, pointing out the Prime Minister’s previous accusations of 55 scams against the Nitish Kumar government and questioning the actions taken. He defined ‘Jungle Raj’ as a system where scams go unaddressed and criminals operate freely.