PM Modi targets RJD, Cong in marker for Bihar elections
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a meeting in Siwan, Bihar, targeted the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress, talked up his National Demoratic Alliance's development credentials , and inaugurated projects worth ₹ 11,000 crore from a stage replete with eight Union ministers, the state's chief minister and two deputy chief ministers, providing a curtain raiser to assembly elections due later this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the crowd on his way to address a public rally with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary in Siwan, Bihar. (Santosh Kumar/HT)
The Congress and the RJD hurt Bihar's pride and kept the state poor due to mafia raj, goonda raj and corruption, Modi said , taking a pointed shot at RJD's Lalu Prasad and alleging that the former chief minister insulted BR Ambedkar.
The PM was speaking after laying the foundation stone of and inaugurating multiple development projects worth ₹ 11,000 crore.
Modi, who is on a three-state tour, inaugurated the new Vaishali-Deoria railway line and a Vande Bharat Express between Patliputra and Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah. He also flagged off a state-of-the-art locomotive - the first built at a plant in Marhowra in Saran district – for export to the Republic of Guinea.
Modi said the Congress did not allow Bihar to move out of poverty and the worst sufferers were Dalit, Mahadalit, backward classes and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), while in the last 11 years a record 250 million Indians moved out of poverty.
'Bihar under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar played a key role in it, as 3.75-crore (37.5 million) people from the state pulled themselves out of poverty. Despite so many years of independence, half the population lived below the poverty line. People struggled to beat poverty, as they could not find a way. The state was reduced to a migration centre and destined to live with the misfortune of poverty. Now, it is time to be wary of the same forces, who kept it poor, as they are desperate for power while the state has prepared the launchpad for rapid growth,' he added.
Bihar governor Arif Mohammad Khan, chief minister Nitish Kumar, Union ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi, Giriraj Singh, Lalan Singh, Chirag Paswan, Ramnath Thakur, Nityanand Rai, Satishchandra Dubey, and Raj Bhushan Choudhary, deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, state health minister Mangal Pandey and former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha were present on the occasion.
This is PM's fourth visit to Bihar this year and third since April 24 in what is viewed as a build up for the crucial state elections scheduled in October-November. He reached the venue in a road show, waving to the people from an open vehicle along with CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Choudhary. Siwan is the birthplace of India's first President Dr Rajendra Prasad.
Modi, who did not mention RJD's Prasad by name, also referred to a recent controversy where a portrait of Ambedkar was placed close to the feet of the ailing septuagenarian on his 78th birthday on June 11.
'Ambedkar was against dynasty rule. But they (RJD and its allies) do not like it. So they have his portrait placed at their feet. On my way, I saw posters demanding an apology for this insult to Babasaheb,' said Modi.
'But there has been no apology. This is because they hold Dalits in contempt. In contrast, Modi has Babasaheb in his heart and would like to keep his portrait close to his chest,' he added.
According to the RJD, the controversy arose because of the camera angle at Prasad's residence. The party has said Prasad had his feet on a sofa because of 'medical advice', and a supporter stood close carrying the portrait of India's first law minister.
Modi said that the panja (or hand – the Congress's symbol) and the lantern (the RJD's symbol) worked with a motive of 'Parivar ka Saath aur Parivar ka Vikas' (Support to family, growth to family), while the NDA works for Sabka saath, Sabka Vikas (inclusive development for all).
He warned that those who brought 'jungle raj' to Bihar were looking for an opportunity to repeat their old deeds. 'You have to be very cautious for the bright future of your children. People who are ready to put the brakes on Bihar's developmental journey have to be kept at bay, as a prosperous Bihar is important for a prosperous India,' he added.
Remembering Rajendra Prasad, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan, and social reformer Braj Kishor Prasad, Modi said Siwan was the land that lent strength to democracy and the Constitution and played a big role in the freedom movement. 'We are trying to take the same spirit forward with inclusive growth so that nobody is discriminated against and even the world recognises India's growth journey to be the third largest economy. I have faith in your abilities, as you are the ones who ended jungle Raj and then worked with the NDA to put the state on track,' he added.
The PM said that the Marhowra rail factory was an example of the kind of Bihar the NDA striving to create. 'With the export of locomotives, Saran, which was abandoned by the RJD as backward, has made its place on the global map. Jungle Raj had stalled the growth engine, but now Bihar's engine will run in Africa. Bihar will be a big centre for Make in India and contribute to the nation's growth,' Modi said.
The PM said in the last 10-11 years, over 55,000 kms of rural roads were built, 15 million houses got power connection and tap water, 45,000 common service centres were started and now there was a wave of start-ups in towns and cities.
CM Nitish, who has been critical of the RJD over its governance track record, took potshots at the main rival, without naming the party.
'Did the ones in power until we took over care for governance? People were scared of stepping out of their homes because of the law and order situation. Such a contrasting sight today when we have boys, girls, and so many women moving freely,'he said.
Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Tejashwi Yadav blunted the PM's attack and asked him to stop misleading the people. 'Why is Bihar still grappling with poverty, unemployment, migration, pitiable state of health and education, gross nepotism in appointments, poor state of industrialisation? He[Modi] has no answer, but he can only mislead. The crowd was forcibly assembled for the rally,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
40 minutes ago
- The Hindu
How PM Modi celebrated International Yoga Day since 2015
Yoga has become a cultural link that unites individuals from different continents, with the yearly celebrations of International Yoga Day evolving into a worldwide phenomenon. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word 'yuj' and means to 'join' or to 'yoke'. It is a pathway to positive changes in body and mind. After coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations General Assembly. Recognising its universal appeal, on December 11, 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131. This year marks the 11th International Day of Yoga, and PM Modi led the celebrations from Visakhapatnam. Here's a look at how Mr. Modi celebrated International Day of Yoga from 2015 to 2025: 2015: Rajpath (Kartavya Path) A massive yoga demonstration was held at Rajpath with Mr. Modi calling it 'Yogpath'. Barring the 'vrikshasana', he followed the entire Common Yoga Protocol that had been put together for the record attempting event on Rajpath to mark the worldwide celebration of the first International Yoga Day. 'Yoga for Harmony and Peace' was the slogan for the first International Day of Yoga. 2016: Chandigarh Leading the second International Day of Yoga in Chandigarh, Mr. Modi pitched the ancient Indian discipline as a viable solution for countries with low health budgets. Over 30,000 people took part in a 45-minute yoga session at the Capitol Complex. 2017: Lucknow Massive yoga practice sessions and demonstrations took place across the country and the world on the third yoga day with Mr. Modi leading from Lucknow. Addressing a huge gathering at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, Mr. Modi said, 'The traditional practice has now become part of every person's life.' 2018: Dehradun Mr. Modi performed yoga with over 50,000 enthusiasts at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) campus in Dehradun and said the ancient Indian discipline has emerged as a 'powerful unifying' force in a strife-torn world. 'Dehradun to Dublin, Shanghai to Chicago, Jakarta to Johannesburg, Himalayan highlands or sunburnt deserts, yoga is enriching millions of lives all over the world,' he said. 2019: Ranchi India celebrated the fifth International Yoga Day on June 21, 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other Ministers and key BJP leaders , led yoga demonstration which was attended by thousands of citizens at Prabhat Tara ground in Ranchi, Jharkhand. 2020: At home celebrations amid COVID-19 In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, International Yoga Day 202 was celebrated on digital media platforms, and there were no mass gatherings. The theme was 'Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family'. In his nearly 15-minute address, Mr. Modi said that due to the pandemic, the world was feeling the need for yoga more than ever. 'If our immunity is strong, it is of great help in defeating this disease. For boosting immunity, there are several methods in yoga, various 'asanas' are there. These 'asanas' are such that they increase the strength of the body and strengthen our metabolism,' he said. 2021: Yoga a 'ray of hope' amid COVID-19 Mr. Modi termed yoga a 'ray of hope' and a source of strength in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. He also spoke of the M-Yoga application, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The app has videos of yoga training based on a Common Yoga Protocol and is available in different languages. 2022: Mysuru Yoga brings peace to our universe, Mr. Modi said, as he led the main event of the International Day of Yoga in the backdrop of the iconic Mysuru Palace. Thousands of people joined the Prime Minister in the mass Yoga demonstration. 'This whole universe starts from our own body and soul. The universe starts from us,' he said. 2023: U.N. Headquarters Mr. Modi-led Yoga celebration at the U.N. headquarters in New York created a Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities. The historic event was attended by top U.N. officials, diplomats and prominent personalities. 2024: Srinagar Addressing the 10th International Day of Yoga event in Srinagar's Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), with the Dal Lake in its backdrop, the PM said those who practice yoga could use any incantations 'whether it's Allah, Ishwar or Waheguru'. Mr. Modi also said that 100 institutes in India and 10 major foreign institutes have been recognised by the Yoga Certification Board instituted by the Ministry of AYUSH. 2025: Visakhapatnam The Prime Minister led the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations and participated in a Yoga session at an event in Visakhapatnam, in Andhra Pradesh. Speaking about this year's International Day of Yoga theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', the Prime Minister said it conveys a fundamental truth: the well-being of all life on Earth is interconnected. International Yoga Day 2025 — In pictures 1 / 21 He made an appeal to the global community, proposing that 'this Yoga Day marks the beginning of Yoga for Humanity 2.0, where inner peace becomes global policy.'
Deccan Herald
41 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
H K Patil pulls up own govt for 'apathy' in illegal mining cases
Patil said he headed a Cabinet sub-committee between 2013 and 2018 - when the first Siddaramaiah-led Congress government was in power - and exposed the true extent of the illegal mining scam.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Mera Baap Chara Chor: Lalu, Tejashwi Targeted Over Fodder Scam Ahead Of Bihar Polls
With Assembly elections looming in Bihar, political rivalry has spilled onto the streets in a no-holds-barred poster war. A provocative poster that appeared near Patna's busy Income Tax intersection on Saturday has triggered a fresh war of words between the ruling and opposition parties. The poster depicts Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad and his son, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, seated on a buffalo -- Tejashwi in front and Lalu behind, chewing grass. The caption reads: 'Mera Baap Chara Chor, Mujhe Vote Do' (My father is a fodder thief, vote for me) -- a direct and mocking reference to Lalu Yadav's conviction in the fodder scam. While no group has claimed responsibility, the poster has sparked sharp reactions. RJD supporters have expressed anger over what they view as a deeply personal and indecent political attack. The party, however, has not yet issued an official response. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, responding to the controversy during an International Yoga Day event, doubled down on the criticism. 'Lalu Yadav has been declared a banned criminal by the Supreme Court. The fodder scam was committed by him. So, where is the second opinion on this? All courts have said he is a fodder thief,' he said. In retaliation, the RJD has launched its own poster campaign, this time accusing the ruling NDA of nepotism. Posters have appeared at several places depicting NDA leaders such as Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, State Minister Ashok Choudhary, and the late Ram Vilas Paswan alongside their sons-in-law. The posters mockingly label the alliance as the 'National Damaad Commission' (National Sons-in-Law Commission), accusing it of nepotism. The escalating poster war -- laced with sarcasm, personal jibes, and viral slogans -- reflects the high-stakes atmosphere ahead of the polls.
