Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed a massive rally in Samastipur, declaring that Bihar’s progress will gain new speed under an NDA government while ridiculing the Opposition alliance as “Lathbandhan” — a group driven by self-interest and power politics.
“You have a mobile light now — do you still need a lantern?” Modi quipped, taking a pointed dig at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), whose election symbol is a lantern. His remark drew loud cheers from the crowd gathered despite the festive rush ahead of Chhath Puja.
The Prime Minister thanked the people of Bihar for attending the event, saying, “You all are celebrating GST Bachat Utsav and preparing for Chhath. Yet, you came here in such large numbers — this love shows Bihar’s trust in development.” He promised that under the NDA, “Bihar will move forward with new momentum.”
Paying tribute to socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, Modi said the NDA would continue his vision of equality and empowerment. “We will follow in the footsteps of Karpoori Thakur ji and build a Bihar of opportunity and dignity,” he added. Earlier in the day, he also posted on X, greeting citizens on Chhath and inviting them to share devotional songs for the festival.
PM Modi’s rally came as part of an aggressive NDA campaign ahead of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025, with another address scheduled in Begusarai later in the afternoon.
The Prime Minister also mounted a sharp attack on the Opposition, branding them the “Lathbandhan.” “Those who call themselves ‘Gathbandhan’ are, in truth, a ‘Lathbandhan’ — people who only know how to use the stick and fight among themselves. They care only for their own families, not for Bihar’s youth,” he said.
He accused the Opposition of having “used Naxalism and Maoist terror to cling to power,” claiming that their politics of violence and corruption had long hindered Bihar’s development. “For decades, Bihar’s youth suffered because of their politics of fear and division,” Modi added.
