PATNA: With cheers, chants and the flash of mobile lights, PM Narendra Modi wrapped up his Bihar election campaign on a high note at Chanpatia in West Champaran on Saturday, shortly after addressing another rally in Sitamarhi. Exuding confidence, PM Modi told the crowd he would be back in the state “after the spectacular victory on Nov 14” – this time to attend the NDA government’s swearing-in ceremony.Highlighting the achievements of the double-engine NDA government, particularly in welfare and women’s empowerment, PM Modi said the alliance always delivers on its promises and stands firmly with “Nari Shakti”. He cited the recent transfer of Rs 10,000 each to 1.40 crore Jeevika didis under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (MMRY), along with the 50% quota for women in panchayati raj institutions, 35% job reservation for women in Bihar and the 33% reservation for women in Parliament.
At Chanpatia, PM Modi asked the crowd to switch on their cellphone lights, saying the glow symbolised the vision of a developed Bihar “where people won’t allow the return of jungle raj”, a term the NDA uses for the Janata Dal-RJD rule of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi from 1990 to 2005.The PM said he felt proud of Bihar and its daughters. “I am your brand ambassador and presented Madhubani paintings to Argentina’s vice-president and South Korea’s president to carry forward the legacy and market the products made by the women and daughters of Bihar,” he added.Taking a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi said, “There are people who insult even Chhathi Maiya and our faith. Those who insult our culture and tradition must be punished through votes.” He added that the people of Bihar had already given the opposition a “65-volt jhatka” in the first phase of the elections, referring to the 65.08% voter turnout on Nov 6 and suggesting strong support for the NDA.“Bihar’s youth, women and farmers have taken over the election campaign in support of the NDA. The NDA’s victory will drive the state’s all-round development. Bihar will soon be identified as a food processing powerhouse and an IT, textile and tourism hub,” he said.PM Modi called upon voters to shield the state from “jungle raj” and propel it towards greater development. He coined a new slogan, “Nahi chahiye katta sarkar, phir ek bar NDA sarkar.”Referring to a viral video from Samastipur where a boy declared his wish to become a gangster (rangdaar), PM Modi said the NDA was building IITs and engineering and medical colleges to produce engineers and doctors while the RJD was “ruining the future of children by poisoning their minds at rallies.” Urging voters to break the first phase turnout record in the second phase on Nov 11, he said the choice was between the NDA that promotes startups and the opposition that supports “hands-up” (gun) culture.PM Modi said the NDA’s improved road, rail and air connectivity had attracted investors to Bihar as CM Nitish Kumar had restored their confidence after the RJD’s jungle raj. He accused the RJD-Congress alliance of “trying to rob your money and employment opportunities by protecting infiltrators (ghuspaithiyas) as they know only scams in the name of development.” He urged people to “use their votes to kick the infiltrators out”.Mocking Rahul’s recent fishing episode in Begusarai, PM Modi said, “Bihar, which once bought fish from other states, is now exporting it. See the power of Bihar fishermen. Bade bade log bhi yahan ki machhli dekhne aa rahe hain. Paani mein dubki laga rahe hain… Bihar ke election mein doobne ki practice kar rahe thhe (Big people came here to see Bihar’s fish, took a dip in the water… they were practising how to sink in Bihar polls).”Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagraha, PM Modi said Nitish’s ‘sushasan’ (good governance) had restored peace to the “land of satyagraha”, which the RJD had turned into one of dacoity and jungle raj during its rule.He added that while the UPA government had declared 100 districts, including Sitamarhi, as backward, the NDA government transformed them into aspirational districts to spur infrastructure and development.
