PATNA: PM Modi said Monday that demographic changes in the border areas of Seemanchal, Bihar, were a serious concern and slammed the opposition for taking out yatras in these border towns to protect infiltrators for what he described as vote-bank politics.Modi said infiltrators posed a threat to identity and dignity of Bihar and promised that the demography mission launched on Aug 15 from Red Fort would tackle the issue.“Due to infiltrators, people of Bihar, Bengal and Assam are worried about their sisters and daughters. But these people are holding yatras and raising slogans in favour of infiltrators. The people of Bihar will give them a befitting reply as they not only pose a threat to the country’s security but also to the self-respect of Bihar people,” Modi said in Purnia.Ealier in the day, he inaugurated Purnia airport’s interim terminal building and launched schemes and projects worth Rs 40,541 crore.“Bharat mein Bharat ka kanoon chalega, ghuspaithiyon ka nahin (the country’s law will prevail, not that of the infiltrators). NDA govt will firmly stop infiltration. I challenge those who are protecting infiltrators – that no matter how much power they use, we will work to kick them out of the country. The country will see its benefits,” said Modi.Modi’s latest rally comes weeks after EC said 65 lakh names had been deleted from draft voter list after the completion of the SIR of poll rolls. It was Modi’s 10th visit to Bihar this year, and he has covered almost all areas of the state – from Bhagalpur to Bikramganj and Gaya to Purnia – before state polls due in Oct-Nov. He flagged off four new trains and laid the foundation stone for new lines, inaugurated a rail line between Araria and Galgalia (Thakurganj), near Kishanganj, a stretch of 111 km built at a cost of Rs 4,412 crore, to open up a critical transport corridor near the India-Nepal border.Modi said women suffered the most under RJD and Congress. “I salute the women who have played a role in keeping Congress and RJD out of office in Bihar for last two decades.”After launching National Makhana Board and approving a development package worth Rs 475-crore for the sector, he took a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying he was roaming the area but must not have heard of makhana. “Makhana board has been notified and sanctioned Rs 475 crore for its production and processing. RJD and Cong cannot digest Bihar’s development. They are not only a threat to its prestige, but also to its identity,” he said.Referring to the recent controversy over a Kerala Congress post comparing bidi and Bihar, Modi said RJD and Congress are hell-bent on humiliating the state. “Can people with such a mentality do any good to Bihar,” the PM asked. CM Nitish Kumar asked people to give Modi a standing ovation for his work for Bihar. Nitish also reiterated that he would never again leave NDA.
