Modi Launches Bihar Campaign, Weaves Narrative of Social Justice, Development, and Hindutva

Expressing appreciation for the legacy of socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his campaign for the November Bihar Assembly elections with back-to-back rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai. Invoking Thakur's blessings, Modi said that people like him and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, from backward and poor families, are now on the stage thanks to the former CM's inspiration. Modi combined themes of social justice, law and order, and corruption to attack the Mahagathbandhan, accusing the RJD and Congress of being involved in scams and attempting to steal the title Jan Nayak, an oblique dig at the Congress's projection of Rahul Gandhi. The Prime Minister cautioned people not to let "jungle raj" return to the state, promising to break electoral records with the incumbent NDA.

Key Takeaways:

• Modi invoked the legacy of socialist icon and former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, conferring Bharat Ratna on him last year, and credited his blessings for people like him and Nitish Kumar reaching the stage.
• Modi criticized the Opposition Mahagathbandhan, accusing them of lawlessness, corruption, and attempting to steal the title Jan Nayak, a reference to Karpoori Thakur.
• The Prime Minister promised to put an end to "jungle raj" and encouraged people to "keep jungle raj out" of Bihar.
• Modi praised the NDA government's development work, including giving three times the funds to Bihar as compared to the UPA government, and highlighting the all-India quota for medical education and the constitutional status granted to the OBC Commission.
• The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of education in the mother tongue, referencing Karpoori Thakur's votary of education in the mother tongue and his government's new education policy ensuring it.
• Modi recounted crimes and Maoist violence during the "jungle raj" period under Lalu Yadav's dispensation and promised to end the Naxal insurgency in Bihar.

Statistics:

• The Modi government conferred Bharat Ratna on Karpoori Thakur last year.
• The NDA government has given three times the funds to Bihar as compared to the UPA government.
• The all-India quota for medical education introduced by the NDA government includes reservations for the backwards and the poor.
• Maoist violence in Bihar has decreased since the NDA came to power at the Centre in 2014.

Sources:

• The Indian Express (P) Ltd
• IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com