29 June 2023, Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a rally in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district, emphasized that the upcoming Lok Sabha elections would offer voters a choice between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi, whom he claimed the Congress party had unsuccessfully attempted to launch on 20 different occasions. Shah also criticized Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a former ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for aligning with the “corrupt” Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and accused him of deceiving RJD president Lalu Prasad.
Shah asserted that in the 2024 elections, the people of Bihar would have to decide between Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi, emphasizing the Congress party’s repeated failed attempts to establish Gandhi’s leadership. Referring to a recent meeting of opposition leaders in Patna, Shah pointed out that while over 20 parties had agreed to come together, these same parties were collectively responsible for scams amounting to over Rs 20 lakh crore.Taking aim at Nitish Kumar, who hosted the aforementioned meeting, Shah argued that someone who frequently changes allegiances cannot be entrusted with governing Bihar. He also alleged that Kumar harbored aspirations of becoming the prime minister but stated that he was merely misleading Lalu Prasad.
During his speech, which lasted approximately 25 minutes, Shah praised Prime Minister Modi, recounting the honors he received during his recent international visits, where people sought his autograph and even touched his feet. Shah emphasized that it was not only the BJP but also the people of India, including Bihar, who were the indirect recipients of such honors.
Shah highlighted the surgical strikes carried out after the Uri army base camp attack and the Balakot airstrikes that followed the Pulwama terror strike, contrasting them with the response of the government led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, whom Shah mockingly referred to as “Mauni baba” (a silent old man). He also mentioned the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the abrogation of Article 370.
Referring to parties such as the Congress, JD(U), RJD, and TMC, Shah recalled their claims that blood would spill on the streets if Article 370 was touched. He pointed out that not a single violent incident occurred in Jammu and Kashmir following the government’s move in August 2019.
Shah expressed dissatisfaction with Nitish Kumar’s repeated allegations that the current ruling dispensation had achieved nothing and was focused solely on propaganda. He urged Kumar to show respect for the long-standing alliance they had shared, presenting statistics and figures to highlight the central government’s contributions to Bihar’s development, including projects like the Patna Metro and the proposed AIIMS in Darbhanga.
The BJP leader expressed gratitude to the people of Bihar for their generous support in recent Lok Sabha elections and expressed hope that the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) would be rewarded with all 40 seats in the state in the upcoming elections. Several senior BJP leaders, including Union ministers Giriraj Singh, Nityanand Rai, and Ashwini Choubey, along with former deputy CM and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi and state unit president Samrat Choudhary, also addressed the rally.
Article by PRITESH PATEL