Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought his Bihar election campaign to a spirited conclusion on Saturday, addressing a massive gathering in Chanpatia, West Champaran, after speaking at another rally in Sitamarhi earlier in the day.
Confident Return Promise
Exuding confidence about the National Democratic Alliance's prospects, Modi told the enthusiastic crowd that he would return to Bihar after the spectacular victory on November 14 to attend the NDA government's swearing-in ceremony. The atmosphere was electric as supporters waved mobile phone lights and chanted slogans in support of the Prime Minister.
Women Empowerment Highlights
Modi extensively highlighted the achievements of what he called the double-engine NDA government, with particular emphasis on welfare schemes and women's empowerment initiatives. He pointed to the recent transfer of Rs 10,000 each to 1.40 crore Jeevika didis under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana as evidence of the government's commitment to women.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the significant political representation achieved for women, including 50% quota in panchayati raj institutions, 35% job reservation in Bihar government services, and the recent 33% reservation for women in Parliament. He proudly declared himself as Bihar's brand ambassador, mentioning how he presented Madhubani paintings to Argentina's vice-president and South Korea's president to promote products made by women artisans from Bihar.
Contrasting Visions for Bihar
In a powerful visual moment, Modi asked the crowd to switch on their cellphone lights, describing the glow as symbolizing the vision of a developed Bihar where people won't allow the return of jungle raj - a term the NDA uses to describe the Janata Dal-RJD rule from 1990 to 2005.
The Prime Minister didn't hold back in his criticism of the opposition, particularly targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. There are people who insult even Chhathi Maiya and our faith. Those who insult our culture and tradition must be punished through votes, Modi stated, while claiming that Bihar's voters had already given the opposition a 65-volt jhatka in the first phase of elections, referencing the 65.08% voter turnout on November 6.
Modi contrasted the NDA's development agenda with what he called the opposition's destructive influence, citing a viral video from Samastipur where a boy expressed desire to become a gangster. While the NDA is building IITs and engineering and medical colleges to produce engineers and doctors, the RJD is ruining the future of children by poisoning their minds at rallies, he asserted.
The Prime Minister also mocked Rahul Gandhi's recent fishing episode in Begusarai, noting that Bihar, which once bought fish from other states, is now exporting it. He suggested that opposition leaders were practicing how to sink in Bihar polls through such activities.
Development and Security Focus
Modi credited the NDA government with transforming Bihar's infrastructure, stating that improved road, rail and air connectivity had attracted investors to the state after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar restored confidence following the RJD's jungle raj period.
He accused the RJD-Congress alliance of trying to rob your money and employment opportunities by protecting infiltrators and urged people to use their votes to kick the infiltrators out. The Prime Minister coined a new slogan for the campaign: Nahi chahiye katta sarkar, phir ek bar NDA sarkar (We don't want a gun government, we want NDA government once again).
Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha, Modi said that Nitish Kumar's good governance had restored peace to the land of satyagraha, which had suffered from dacoity and jungle raj during RJD rule. He also highlighted how the NDA government had transformed 100 backward districts, including Sitamarhi, into aspirational districts with improved infrastructure and development.
Looking toward the future, Modi predicted that Bihar will soon be identified as a food processing powerhouse and an IT, textile and tourism hub, driven by the NDA's victory in the ongoing assembly elections.
