Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his election campaign in Bihar on Friday with a massive rally in Samastipur, asserting that the state was ready to bring back the NDA government with a stronger mandate. Before addressing the rally, Modi visited Karpuri Gram to pay floral tributes to Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, calling him “a guiding light for social justice and empowerment of the poor and backward.”Emphasising his government’s commitment to the underprivileged, Modi said, “Our government has prioritised the welfare of the poor, Dalits, Mahadalits, backward and extremely backward classes.” He highlighted key initiatives such as 10% reservation for economically weaker sections and the extension of SC-ST reservation for another decade.
Drawing a sharp contrast with the opposition, Modi accused the RJD and Congress of corruption and “family-centric politics,” saying, “Those out on bail for scams are now trying to steal the title of ‘Jan Nayak’ (people’s leader). Bihar will never tolerate this insult to Karpoori Thakur.”
Modi listed the NDA government’s development work in Bihar, including six-lane highways, new railway lines, Vande Bharat trains, and power projects. He said Bihar received three times more central funding under NDA compared to the Congress era, resulting in “three times more development.”He also praised the “Chief Minister Women Employment Scheme,” under which Rs 10,000 each has been deposited into the bank accounts of over 1.2 crore women. Promising more support if the NDA returns to power, he added, “After November 14, our government will further expand job opportunities for women.”Targeting RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Modi evoked memories of Bihar’s “Jungle Raj” era, asserting that the state would never let those dark days return. “Phir ek baar, NDA sarkar; phir ek baar sushasan sarkar; jungle raj waalon ko door rakhega Bihar. (Once again, NDA government, once again good governance; Bihar will keep jungle raj away.)”
Ending on a confident note, Modi declared that under CM Nitish Kumar’s leadership, the NDA would “break all previous records” and secure Bihar’s largest-ever public mandate.
