BATTLEGROUND BIHAR
Patna, Nov 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday addressed separate rallies in Bihar during the ongoing Assembly election campaign, sharply criticising the RJD and Congress and accusing them of misrule and corruption in the past.
Addressing a rally in Araria, PM Modi released what he called a “report card” of 1990–2005, alleging that the period was a phase of “misrule” in which Bihar saw “zero” development in expressways, bridges over the Kosi, tourist circuits, sports complexes and medical colleges.
“In the name of governance, you were only looted. How many expressways were built in those 15 years? Zero. How many bridges over the Kosi? Zero. How many tourist circuits? Zero. How many sports complexes? Zero. How many medical colleges? Zero,” PM Modi said.
He also said that no IIT or IIM was set up at that time.
PM Modi credited the NDA and the “double-engine government” for institutions such as IIT Patna, IIM Bodh Gaya, AIIMS Patna and Darbhanga AIIMS.
Calling the 1990s a phase of guns, cruelty, bitterness, corruption and misgovernance, the Prime Minister said the Grand Alliance had turned this into the identity of Bihar.
PM Modi alleged that Congress and RJD were “protecting infiltrators” and also accused Congress leaders of insulting traditional faith, citing remarks on Chhath Puja. He said he believed Bihar’s voters — especially women — would not allow a return to “jungle raj”.
He alleged internal contradictions within the opposition alliance, claiming Congress and RJD candidates were undercutting each other.
Later, at Bhagalpur, PM Modi said the RJD was responsible for caste riots and accused Congress of communal riots, saying the Bhagalpur riots stain will never be erased.
“The RJD plunged Bihar into caste riots, while the Congress instigated communal riots. The Congress will never be able to wash away the stain of the Bhagalpur riots, just as the stain of the killing of Sikhs cannot be erased. The stain of the Bhagalpur massacre will never be removed from Congress’s record,” Modi said.
He alleged that the politics of the RJD and Congress pushed Bihar’s youth into migration. “Those who practice the politics of destruction do not like Bihar’s development. Because of their misdeeds, the youth of Bihar had to suffer the curse of migration. The NDA is determined that Bihar’s youth will work in Bihar and bring glory to Bihar,” he said. (IANS)
