Parivaar ka saath, parivaar ka vikas: PM's jibe at RJD-Congress in Bihar
Taking on the RJD-Congress combine over dynastic politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said those hankering for power focus solely on promoting their own families, while his government worked for inclusive development.Addressing a rally in Bihar's Siwan, where he dedicated development projects worth Rs 10,000 crore, PM Modi appealed to the public to vote out those who brought 'jungle raj' to Bihar and looted the state in the upcoming elections.- https://t.co/Jh75fgXpwB— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 20, 2025advertisement"We say 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas' but the RJD and Congress believe in 'parivaar ka saath, parivaar ka vikas'. Congress's licence raj responsible for poverty in India. While families of its leaders became rich, people remained poor," the Prime Minister thundered.
The Prime Minister said the Dalit and backwards communities were the biggest victims of this.PM Modi's remarks were seemingly a bid to blunt RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's nepotism charge against the ruling alliance. Tejashwi has repeatedly raked up how relatives of several NDA leaders have been appointed to various commissions in Bihar.FIFTH VISIT TO BIHAR IN 5 MONTHSThis is PM Modi's fifth visit to Bihar in the past five months as the BJP-JD(U) combine aims to retain power in its head-on clash with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. Siwan and its nearby districts, such as Gopalganj and Chapra, are strongholds of the RJD.advertisementTargeting the RJD on the recent controversy over alleged disrespect to BR Ambedkar's portrait by Lalu Prasad Yadav, PM Modi asserted that the people of Bihar would never forgive those who insulted the architect of the Constitution."RJD insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar, people of Bihar will never forgive its leaders," PM Modi said, as he attempted to woo the nearly 20% Dalit population.Calling the RJD-Congress combine "anti-Bihar" and "anti-investment", PM Modi said the parties looted so much that poverty became Bihar's misfortune."Whenever they talk about development, people see locks hanging on shops, businesses, industries and trades... These people have been the nurturers of poor infrastructure, mafia raj, gunda raj, and corruption," the Prime Minister thundered.Must Watch
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Time of India
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- Time of India
Next-gen netas add flavour to old jaat-paat politics in battle for Bihar
Family Drama: The romance saga involving Lalu's older son Tej Pratap Yadav (right) has become a political issue. It has also created a rift with brother Tejashwi The forthcoming 2025 Bihar assembly election promises to be interesting in many ways. First, it is shaping up to be an election dominated by youth—or, at least, by leaders who are being projected as 'youthful' by their parties. Leaders like RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav , Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi's son Santosh Kumar Suman, and the UK-return Pushpam Priya Choudhary are actively holding public rallies and campaigning across Bihar's villages, towns, and bastis. Although most of these leaders are aged between 35 and 55, many young voters in Bihar identify with them. 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Second, adding a dramatic subplot to the political theatre is the ongoing family saga involving Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Lalu Prasad Yadav. In a twist worthy of a prime-time soap opera, Tej Pratap recently declared his love for Anushka Yadav on social media, claiming a 12-year-long relationship—despite still being married to Aishwarya Rai, the granddaughter of former CM Daroga Prasad Rai. Though he later claimed his Facebook account was hacked and the photos doctored, Lalu responded by expelling his son from the RJD for six years, citing 'irresponsible behaviour' and actions 'not in accordance with our family values and traditions.' This is no longer just a private family 'affair'—it has entered the political sphere and is likely to influence the election discourse. The controversy has triggered heated inter-generational debates across Bihar, especially between youth and parents in rural and urban areas. Some critics seized the opportunity to question the moral character and family values of RJD, framing the situation as an injustice against Tej Pratap's estranged wife Aishwarya Rai. While many RJD leaders have been on the defensive, some have pointed to similar precedents—such as Ram Vilas Paswan's second marriage — to argue for personal freedom. Among young voters, opinion is split. Some, especially those under-25 voters, seem to sympathise with Tej Pratap and feel Lalu was unnecessarily harsh on his son. Others, particularly in rural Bihar, are uncomfortable with the spectacle and the social media melodrama, especially given the unresolved allegations of domestic abuse from his marriage to Aishwarya. Beyond the controversy, this younger (or young-adjacent) generation of politicians does appear to have injected new energy into the campaign. Their social media battles are flashier, complete with rap tracks and viral videos. 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Indian Express
an hour ago
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Ex-MP demands public apology, files defamation suit against author for ‘damaging claims' in book
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an hour ago
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