Gopalganj/Patna: In a politically charged address in Gopalganj on Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s contributions to the state’s development but conspicuously avoided naming him as the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate. While urging people to vote for an NDA government, Shah emphasized forming a BJP-led government rather than explicitly endorsing Nitish for another term as chief minister.
The omission gains significance amid ongoing speculation about Nitish’s health and potential shifts in Bihar’s power structure post-elections. While political observers expect the NDA to remain intact through the assembly elections, murmurs of a possible leadership reshuffle have intensified within Bihar’s political circles.
Shah’s Pitch: Development Versus ‘Jungle Raj’
During his 20-minute speech, Shah launched a scathing attack on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad and the Congress, contrasting their rule with what he termed as “Modi-Nitish’s path of development.” However, his repeated stress on BJP-led governance hinted at a subtle distancing from Kumar’s leadership even as he called for a renewed mandate for the NDA.
Shah asserted that the Narendra Modi government had achieved in 10 years what Congress “could not do in 65 years” and urged voters to give the NDA another term. He also made big-ticket promises, including flood relief and reopening defunct sugar mills, if the NDA was voted back to power.
Ram Temple, Sita Temple, And Bihar’s Cultural Identity
The Home Minister sought to consolidate the BJP’s core voter base by invoking religious and cultural sentiments. “Lalu and company created obstacles, but Modi ensured the construction of the Ram temple after 500 years. Now, a grand temple for Mata Sita will be built in Bihar,” he declared.
He also linked BJP’s governance with Bihar’s cultural heritage, highlighting initiatives like the Vaishali Mahotsav, the GI tag for Madhubani paintings, and the formation of a Makhana Board to support local farmers. He mentioned how the Modi government honored singer Sharda Sinha with the Padma Vibhushan, asserting that BJP had protected Bihar’s traditions.
Corruption Allegations Against RJD
In a sharp attack on Lalu Prasad and his family, Shah accused the RJD of corruption and dynastic politics. “Lalu ji even ate the fodder meant for cows,” he said, referring to the fodder scam. He also alleged that Bihar under RJD rule was synonymous with “kidnappings, ransom demands, and murders.”
“Both his sons want to be CM, his daughter is an MP, his wife is a former CM, and his brothers-in-law were ministers. But did they ever work to secure Bihar’s youth? This was done by the Modi government,” Shah said, positioning the BJP as the party of governance and reform.
