Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched the BJP’s election campaign in Bihar’s Saran district, praising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for “freeing the state from Jungle Raj” and reaffirming that the NDA will contest the Assembly elections under his leadership.
Addressing a rally in Taraiya in support of incumbent MLA Janak Singh and Amnour candidate Krishan Kumar Mantoo, Shah invoked memories of Bihar’s troubled past under Lalu Prasad Yadav’s rule to rally support for the NDA.
“When you start campaigning from Saran, we only see victory. There is no better place than Chhapra, Saran, to remind the youth of Bihar about that jungle raj of Lalu and Rabri and take a pledge to fight against it,” he said.
He lauded Nitish Kumar’s two-decade governance for restoring order and development in the state. “Nitish Kumar has freed Bihar from Jungle Raj. PM Modi, over the last 11 years, has worked to develop Bihar. PM Modi's 11 years have been a blessing to the poor,” Shah declared to loud cheers.
Underscoring unity within the NDA, Shah reiterated, “We are fighting under the leadership of Nitish Kumar in Bihar.”
Also read: NDA to contest Bihar polls under Nitish, CM decision after polls: Amit Shah
Drawing a festive analogy, the Home Minister said Bihar would witness “four Diwalis” this year, including one symbolic of the NDA’s anticipated victory. “This time, the people of Bihar have the opportunity to celebrate Diwali four times. The first one is the one that comes on the occasion of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya. The second one has just finished. Nitish Ji and Modi ji have given Rs 10,000 to women in Bihar. Third Diwali is the reduction of GST on 395 products to 5 per cent and 0 per cent. The fourth Diwali will be celebrated when NDA will come with the biggest majority, sweeping away Lalu, Rahul and company,” he said.
Touching upon national security, Shah contrasted the current government’s approach with that of past regimes. “Terrorists used to play 'khoon ki holi' during Lalu Prasad and Congress reign. Modi ji, through Operation Sindoor, wiped out terrorists by hitting them at their home,” he remarked.
Polling for the 243-member Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting scheduled for November 14. The NDA has finalised its seat-sharing formula, BJP and JD-U will contest 101 constituencies each, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 29, while Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha will field candidates in six seats each.
As the political battle intensifies, Shah’s rally in the heart of Saran signalled the BJP’s full-throated push to mobilise its traditional base and project Nitish Kumar as the central pillar of the alliance’s electoral strategy.
Follow us
