New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of obstructing major development projects in Bihar after losing power in 2005, claiming the party pressured the then Congress-led UPA government at the Centre to halt initiatives started under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration.
Speaking at a rally in Saharsa, PM Modi alleged that the RJD stalled infrastructure works such as the Kosi Mahasetu, motivated by political revenge against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s newly formed government. He urged people to “punish the RJD for its past sins” and asserted that while the NDA stood for progress, those representing “jungle raj” were symbols of destruction.
The Prime Minister accused the RJD-Congress alliance of being lenient toward infiltrators and indifferent to cultural and religious sentiments, pointing out their silence on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and lack of engagement with traditional festivals like Chhath. He remarked that such leaders “find time to travel abroad but not to visit Ayodhya,” while adding that they could at least pay respect to figures like Nishad Raj and Valmiki associated with Lord Ram’s legacy.
Highlighting Bihar’s cultural heritage, especially the Mithila region known for figures like Sita, Bharti, and Gargi, Modi congratulated Indian women cricketers for their World Cup triumph and said those who once mocked the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign should now feel ashamed. He urged women to remain cautious of parties that might discontinue welfare schemes introduced by the NDA.
PM Modi also emphasized his connection to Bihar, recalling how he promotes makhana, a local delicacy, during international visits as a symbol of the state’s hardworking farmers.
Recalling the violence and lawlessness of past RJD regimes, Modi cited incidents where police officers and contractors were attacked, including the murder of DSP Satyapal Singh in Saharsa.
Without naming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Prime Minister dismissed the party’s promise to establish a new Nalanda University, noting that a modern university already exists and claiming his government invested Rs 2,000 crore to develop it, compared to the Rs 20 crore sanctioned earlier by Congress.
He concluded by reaffirming the NDA’s commitment to stability, development, and security, urging voters to keep Bihar “free from the shadows of jungle raj.”
