New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated his unwavering commitment to Bihar’s development, declaring that his government’s “seva” (service) for the people will not stop. Speaking at a public rally in Siwan, PM Modi said Bihar is poised to play a significant role in India’s journey towards becoming a global economic powerhouse. “Modi will not rest, Modi will not sleep peacefully – I will continue to work for you. You are my family,” he said, promising to construct three crore more pucca houses in the coming years.
Without directly naming the Congress or Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), PM Modi launched a strong attack on both parties, referring to their poll symbols – the ‘Panja’ (hand) and ‘Lalten’ (lantern) – and accusing them of pushing Bihar into poverty and chaos during their rule. “Bihar became a symbol of poverty under the ‘Panja’ and ‘Lalten’. The NDA brought it back on the path of development,” he said. He also blamed the Congress-era ‘license raj’ for the widespread poverty across India, stating that while political dynasties prospered, ordinary people remained poor. “We say ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, but RJD believes in ‘Parivaar ka Vikas’,” he added.
Highlighting the shift in public consciousness, PM Modi said today’s youth have only heard of the “jungle raj” that once plagued Bihar and have decisively rejected it. “The youth of Bihar have wiped out jungle raj. They have no idea how bad things were earlier and they don’t want to return to those days,” he said. The Prime Minister praised the NDA for carrying forward the ideals of freedom fighters like Dr Rajendra Prasad and Brajkishore Prasad and said the government is determined to build a developed Bihar in their spirit.
PM Modi, who recently returned from a foreign tour, said global leaders are taking note of India’s rapid economic rise and view it as the next major global power. “The world sees India becoming the third-largest economic superpower. Bihar is going to play a crucial role in this transformation,” he said.
Before his address, the Prime Minister launched 28 developmental projects worth over ₹5,900 crore in Siwan. These include the inauguration of the new Vaishali–Deoria railway line built at a cost of over ₹400 crore, and the launch of a new train service on this route. He also flagged off a new Vande Bharat Express between Patliputra (Patna) and Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah, significantly improving connectivity in North Bihar. As part of the ‘Make in India – Make for the World’ initiative, PM Modi flagged off a modern locomotive built at the Marhowra plant for export to Guinea.
In line with his focus on environmental and sanitation initiatives, PM Modi inaugurated six Sewage Treatment Plants under the Namami Gange project, worth over ₹1,800 crore, and laid the foundation for additional water supply and sanitation projects across the state, totalling ₹3,000 crore. Concluding his address, he reiterated that his government’s service to Bihar will continue and intensify, assuring the people that the development momentum will not slow down.
