PM invokes Ayodhya at rallies

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 28

Sharing the stage with ‘mitra’ (friend) Nitish Kumar at a series of public meetings in Bihar, which saw the first phase of elections today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the Ram temple at Ayodhya to underscore the NDA’s commitment towards its poll promises at a rally in Darbhanga.

RJD raises Munger

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav demanded an HC-monitored probe into the Munger incident in which one person was killed. “Who gave permission to Munger cops to act like Gen Dyer,” he asked.

Later in Muzaffarpur and Patna, in a scathing attack on RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, he cautioned voters against “jungle raj ka yuvraj”.

As he went on to list achievements of the NDA and Nitish Kumar government, the PM said: “Bihar had two challenges: One from coronavirus and the other from those who wanted to make it ‘bimar’ (sick) again.”

“Your one vote for the NDA can save Bihar from becoming sick again.... The NDA is creating jobs through reform, could Bihar dream of IT hubs in jungle raj? Can ‘yuvraj of jungle raj’ take the state forward? When I say the NDA, it means four parties: BJP, JD(U), HAM (S) and VIP,” he said, seeking votes for the coalition led by Nitish.

Meanwhile, LJP leader Chirag Paswan fired yet another salvo at the JD(U) supremo, claiming that the latter was preparing to dump the BJP after the results and join the RJD, as done in the past. Chirag also claimed that Bihar would get a BJP-LJP government because the LJP would win more seats than the JD(U). “A single vote given to Nitish Kumarji will not only weaken and ruin Bihar, but will also strengthen the RJD and Mahagathbandhan,” he said.

Sources said amid the negative perceptions mounting against the incumbent Chief Minister, the Prime Minister’s meetings were crucial for the NDA. Ground reports mention “less enthusiasm” at NDA rallies as compared to those by Tejashwi, who was targeted unsparingly by the PM in Muzaffarpur and Patna. “Consider what would happen if those who promote ‘jungle raj’ come to rule Bihar amid this pandemic, it will be a double whammy for Bihar,” the Prime Minister said.