“We’re with Nitish Kumar for the development of Bihar,” says PM at rally in Sasaram
At a rally in Sasaram on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi put to rest speculation about growing differences between alliance partners JD(U) and Lok Janshakti Party, while asserting that an NDA government led by Nitish Kumar was necessary for development in Bihar.
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He also clarified that the NDA in Bihar meant the BJP, the JD(U), the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and the Vikasheel Insaan Party. He did not mention about the Chirag Paswan-led LJP.
Apart from Sasaram, Mr. Modi is scheduled to address public meetings in Gaya and Bhagalpur. In all, he will address 12 public meetings during the three-phase Bihar poll that will end on November 7. Counting will be on November 10.
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“For the development of Bihar, an NDA government led by Nitish Kumar is necessary… for a self-reliant Bihar, an NDA government is necessary here”, said Mr. Modi at his first rally in Sasaram.
“We’re with Nitish Kumar for the development of Bihar, who got only three or four years to work and bring development in the State…earlier, he was engrossed in battling the UPA government’s politics that impeded his work”, he stated, and added, “Nitish Kumar couldn’t work for the first 10 years for the development of the State.”
“Even before polls, however, people of Bihar have given their message….all surveys show the NDA government will retain power in the State”, he said.
Along with BJP leaders and candidates, Mr. Kumar too was present in the meeting.
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Mr. Modi further added that the NDA government worked for the development of the poor and Dalits in the State.
“Our government extended reservation for the poor and Dalits for 10 years”, he said.
He also said, “Now there will be one common entrance examination for jobs for youth of the country…all technical education like medical and engineering will be imparted in local languages, and it will benefit everyone in the country”.
NDA’s work
While listing out the NDA government’s achievements, Mr. Modi said, “Bihar’s 74 lakh farmers have been given ₹6,000 crore directly in their bank accounts through PM Kisan Yojna…farmers, businessmen and all will also be benefited in Bihar through reforms in connectivity”.
“Mandi aur MSP to bahana hai….asal mein dalalo aur bicghauliyon ko bachana hai (Village markets and MSP (Minimum Support Price) are just excuses…it’s all to protect middlemen and brokers”, Mr. Modi said, taking a jibe at the Congress’s protest against new farm laws.
“When Rafale jet planes were bought, they were speaking the language of middlemen, when the initiative began to give money directly to farmers’ bank account before the 2014 Lok Sabha poll, they had spread rumours”, he said.
“Several development works like construction of bridges on rivers are under way in Bihar”, he added.
“People have decided that those who have a history of making Bihar bimaru will not be allowed to return in the State”, Mr. Modi said in his speech, while making an oblique reference to the previous RJD government.
The Prime Minister also recalled the days of the previous RJD government in the State and said “the age-old lantern has gone”. “The people of Bihar will not forget those days when dusk meant everything had to shut down….today, there is electricity, roads and, above all, an environment in which the common people of the State can live without fear”, he added.
RJD governments under party chief Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi were in power in Bihar from 1990 to 2005.
Mr. Modi also reminded people on the action taken to revoke provision of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The country was waiting it to happen for years…the NDA government did that and now they (Opposition) are saying they will implement Article 370, if they come to power”, he said.
Mr. Modi began his speech by paying tribute to departed leaders Ram Vilas Paswan and Raghuvansh Prasad Singh.
Gaya rally
In Gaya, Mr. Modi pointed out that Bihar was making rapid progress in the field of health and education.
“Today, educational institutions like IITs and IIMs are opening up in Bihar…earlier students were striving even for schools in the State”, he said.
“Earlier, it was the age of lamps and lanterns in the State…fear of being kidnapped was felt across the State but today things have changed a lot… steps were taken to eliminate Naxal problems and crime for the State’s development”, he added.
Mr. Modi said, “Their [Opposition’s] aim was to make Bihar bimar [sick] and lachar [helpless] but NDA’s resolve is to make Bihar capable and self-reliant”.
While taking potshots at the previous RJD government, Mr. Modi said, “Earlier, there was corruption and scam but now even the poor and disadvantaged people get their rights and are taking advantage of better health facilities and getting transfer of money directly to their bank accounts through technology”.
“Ab sarkar ki har suvidha mobile per (now every government facility is on the mobile)”, he said.
He also declared that after the Bihar elections, the NDA government would implement “Swamitwa Yojna (ownership project)” to buy and sell property in villages.
“Under this project, the villagers will get a property card, through which they will feel safe about their houses and can even get loans from banks against their houses…this project is being implemented in six States as a pilot project”, he said.
“Bihar is now speeding on the road to reforms and we’ll not let it slow down…in the next few years, Bihar will be among the States where every household has tap water”, he said.
Mr. Modi reiterated that NDA meant the BJP, the JD(U), the HAM(S) and the VIP.
“Under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, you all have to exercise your franchise…your vote is necessary so that Bihar will not fall sick again”, Mr. Modi said.