Modi Launches NDA's Election Campaign in Bihar, Rakes Up Regional Idioms and "Jungle Raj"

Strategic Insights -

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched the NDA's election campaign in Bihar with a rally in Samastipur, opening his address in Maithili to connect with the local audience. From praising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and invoking regional idioms, to accusing the mahagathbandhan of being "led by people out on bail", here are the key takeaways from Modi's poll rally.

Key Takeaways:

  • Modi praised Nitish Kumar for transforming Bihar since 2005, but pointed out that nearly a decade of his tenure was hampered by a hostile Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.
  • Modi accused the RJD-Congress combine of ushering in "jungle raj" during their rule, and contrasted the NDA's governance model with what he called the "scam-ridden rule" of the previous government.
  • Modi claimed that the central assistance extended to Bihar in the last 11 years is three times what the state had received from the previous government, and that the state has turned the corner, now exporting fish and other goods.
  • RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the Centre of "shielding corrupt leaders and criminals" and said that Nitish Kumar "will not be made Bihar's CM if the NDA is voted to power."
  • Modi criticized the RJD's election symbol, the lantern, saying that people have access to modern gadgets and there is no need for it.
  • Nitish Kumar acknowledged Modi's "generous help" in running the state, but targeted Lalu Prasad, saying that he had "misgoverned the state and made his wife the chief minister when he had to step down."

Statistics:

  • The Bihar Assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11.
  • RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav mentioned 55 scams of Nitish Kumar's government, which he claimed the Centre has not taken action against.
  • The central assistance extended to Bihar in the last 11 years is three times what the state had received from the previous government.
  • Bihar is now exporting fish and other goods, a significant turnaround from its dependence on other states in the past.

Sources:

  • ABP Private Limited, distributed by Contify.com (2025)
  • News reports from Modiselection campaign rally in Samastipur and other sources.