Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has successfully liberated Bihar from the ‘jungle raj’ over the last 20 years. During a recent event, Shah sharply criticized former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, stating that the 15-year rule under Lalu and Rabri Devi had set Bihar back by nearly half a century, eroding its dignity, splendor, and overall excellence.
“Consider the era when Bihar became a sick state. In just those 15 years of jungle rule, Bihar lost its pride, wealth, and knowledge. During that 15-year period, Bihar lost all its dignity, splendor, and excellence in every aspect. Imagine what those 15 years must have been like… a period that saw Bihar’s reputation decline significantly,” Shah remarked at an Intellectuals Conference in Patna.
He further added, “Nitish Kumar has freed Bihar from jungle raj. Prime Minister Modi, over the past 11 years, has diligently worked to develop Bihar. PM Modi’s 11 years have been a true blessing for the poor.”
Shah, who was on a three-day visit to the state, met with Chief Minister Kumar earlier in the day and subsequently addressed a public rally in the Saran district.
Emphasizing that the forthcoming elections would be contested under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, Shah stated, “We are contesting the Bihar elections under Nitish Kumar’s leadership. This time, the people of Bihar have the opportunity to celebrate Diwali four times. The first is the one associated with Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya. The second has just concluded. Nitish Ji and Modi Ji have provided ₹10,000 to women in Bihar. The third Diwali is the reduction of GST on 395 products to 5% and 0%. The fourth Diwali will be celebrated when the NDA secures its biggest majority, decisively defeating Lalu, Rahul, and their allies.”
He highlighted the positive impact of the ‘double-engine’ government over the last 11 years, noting that the collaboration between Prime Minister Modi and the Chief Minister has been instrumental in restoring Bihar’s lost dignity. “Now, Bihar is poised for progress and is ready to reclaim its rightful position in the nation’s political landscape, economy, education system, and agricultural sector,” he claimed, urging voters to choose “performance politics” and reject parties like the Congress and RJD that promote dynastic rule.
Shah also questioned the RJD’s electoral promise of providing a government job to every family in Bihar, seeking clarification on the financial feasibility of such a pledge. “Bihar has 2.8 crore families, with approximately 20 lakh people currently holding government jobs. Tejashwi Yadav has promised government jobs to 2.6 crore families. However, to fulfill this, ₹12 lakh crore would be required, which is four times Bihar’s annual budget,” Shah calculated, dismissing the promise as “completely baseless and misleading.” He directly asked, “Where will the money come from to pay the salaries?”
During his address in Saran, the Union Minister also critiqued the RJD’s decision to field Osama Shahab, son of the late gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, in the upcoming polls. Shah questioned the RJD’s ability to ensure public safety if it nominates such candidates. “I noticed the RJD candidate list for the upcoming elections, and Shahabuddin’s son is on it. You tell me, if the RJD gives a ticket to Shahabuddin’s son, how can Bihar remain safe? The public needs to be vigilant about parties like the RJD,” he urged.
In response, RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwary retorted, “Why is Amit Shah silent about Anant Singh? Those who undergo the BJP’s ‘washing machine’ emerge clean. The voters will decide. Late Shahabuddin was elected MP by the voters. Osama Shahab is an educated youth, and the voters will make their decision on him as well. In fact, the BJP has fielded more corrupt candidates.”
Shah also commented on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, sarcastically calling it a ‘ghuspetiya bachao yatra’ (save infiltrators yatra) and affirming that the BJP would not permit illegal immigrants in the country.
“Should infiltrators be included in Bihar’s voter list? We support the Election Commission’s initiative to remove infiltrators from voter lists not just in Bihar, but across the entire country. Rahul ‘baba’ is leading a ‘ghuspetiya bachao yatra’; let him do so,” Shah told the gathering in Patna.
Senior Congress leader Premchandra Mishra responded to Shah’s remarks, stating, “Home Minister Amit Shah’s desperate name-calling exposes the BJP’s fear of the truth. Our ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ revealed how their government deletes names of poor, Dalit, and minority voters to rig elections – ‘vote chori’ happening openly. While they spread hate to protect cronies like Adani-Ambani who exploit public wealth, we are fighting for every Indian’s right to vote without fear. Bihar’s youth are not swayed by ‘infiltrator’ rhetoric; they demand jobs, not animosity towards marginalized communities.”