Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a blistering broadside against the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, accusing them of fostering an environment of “mafia raj, gunda raj, and corruption” during their respective periods of governance. Addressing a massive public rally in Siwan, Bihar, PM Modi pulled no punches, asserting that the actions of these parties have been “anti-Bihar and anti-investment,” pushing the state into a cycle of poverty and lawlessness.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come ahead of the crucial Bihar assembly elections, setting a sharp electoral narrative that aims to highlight a stark contrast between his administration’s focus on development and the alleged misrule of the opposition.
“Whenever they talk about development, people see locks hanging on shops, businesses, industries, and trades,” PM Modi stated, painting a grim picture of the economic stagnation he attributes to the RJD and Congress. He further elaborated, “These people have been the nurturers of poor infrastructure, mafia raj, gunda raj, and corruption.”
Modi directly linked the historical poverty and large-scale migration of labourers from Bihar to the policies and governance of the Congress and RJD. He claimed that under their rule, symbolized by the Congress’s ‘hand’ and RJD’s ‘lantern’ election symbols, Bihar became a “symbol of poverty,” with leaders enriching themselves while the common populace suffered.
The Prime Minister also revisited the much-debated “jungle raj” epithet, traditionally used to describe periods of perceived lawlessness in Bihar under RJD rule. He warned the electorate that those who ushered in this era are now seeking to return to power and urged the people to be vigilant for the sake of their children’s future. “People who are ready to put the brake on the journey towards a prosperous Bihar have to be kept at bay,” he emphasized.
In a strong appeal to the Dalit community, PM Modi accused the RJD of insulting Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution. He declared that the people of Bihar would “never forgive” those who disrespect such an iconic figure. Drawing a personal distinction, Modi asserted that while leaders of the RJD and Congress keep Ambedkar’s photograph “near their feet,” he keeps it “close to his heart.”
Highlighting the philosophical divide, PM Modi reiterated his government’s mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (collective efforts, inclusive growth), contrasting it with what he termed the RJD and Congress’s focus on “parivaar ka vikas” (family’s development). He alleged that the opposition parties have not shied away from harming “crores of families in Bihar for the benefit of their own families.”
During the rally, the Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 5,900 crore, including a new railway line and a Vande Bharat Express service, showcasing the NDA government’s commitment to infrastructure growth in the state. He asserted that the NDA government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has successfully steered Bihar back onto the path of development after overcoming numerous challenges.
The sharp rhetoric from the Prime Minister signals an aggressive campaign strategy for the upcoming state elections, where the themes of law and order, corruption, and development are expected to dominate the political discourse.