Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned vigorously in Bihar on Friday, holding consecutive rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai districts. He urged voters to reject the opposition RJD-Congress alliance, which he described as being led by “people out on bail,” while forecasting a record victory for the NDA. Modi emphasized the differences between the divided INDIA bloc and the united BJP-led coalition, which includes Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), the Lok Janshakti Party, and Hindustani Awam Morcha led by Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, along with Rashtriya Lok Morcha led by Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha.
The elections for the 243-member Bihar Assembly are scheduled to take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results expected on November 14. The Prime Minister highlighted the unity of the NDA, in contrast to the “fractured” opposition, asserting that the coalition is focused on development. At the rally in Samastipur, all alliance partners were present, and Modi criticized the Congress for appropriating the title of “Jan Nayak” (people’s hero), which is traditionally associated with Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, whose native village Modi visited before the rally.
Addressing young voters, he reminded them that their parents ended the “jungle raj” (rule of RJD-Congress) in October 2005, urging them to vote for good governance (sushasan) to ensure prosperity (samriddhi). Modi asserted that the NDA is contesting the assembly elections “under the leadership of Nitish Kumar,” countering opposition claims that the BJP intends to replace the 75-year-old JD(U) president, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term. He also pointed out BJP’s successes in retaining power in states such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Maharashtra, expressing hope that the NDA would set new records in the Bihar elections.
Modi criticized the INDIA bloc, labeling it as a “Mahalathbandhan” (grand alliance where partners fight each other), and accused RJD and Congress leaders of being the “most corrupt and out on bail.” He remarked on their arrogance despite being out of power for decades, noting their disregard for alliance partners like JMM and the Vikassheel Insaan Party, whose founder Mukesh Sahni was promised the deputy CM’s position despite receiving an unfavorable seat allocation.