INDIA bloc is anti-Sanatana and corrupt, says Modi at Bihar rally
PM targets RJD, says people of the State had spent a long time under ‘jungle raj’; he also attacks Congress chief Kharge over his remarks on Article 370; later, he launches the BJP’s election campaign in Madhya Pradesh with a roadshow in Jabalpur
In his second public meeting in Bihar after Jamui, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a dig at the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), reiterating that the Congress manifesto “had the imprint of the Muslim League”.
At a rally in Nawada, he called the bloc “antiSanatana” and “corrupt”. He also did not miss the opportunity to target the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) by reminding people of “jungle raj”. Mr. Modi was seeking votes in support of BJP candidate Vivek Thakur. Nawada is one of the four constituencies of Bihar that will go to the polls on April 19.
“Nawada has always given love and blessings to the BJP and NDA,” Mr. Modi said. While asserting that the entire country was saying “Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar”, he stressed eradication of poverty from the country.
“The people of Bihar and Nawada have spent a long time in the era of jungle raj. There was a time in Bihar when our sisters and daughters were scared of walking on the roads. Due to the efforts of Nitish Kumarji and Sushil Kumar Modi, Bihar came out of jungle raj,” Mr. Modi said.
Apart from Mr. Kumar, several other leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) were present on stage. “Modi’s guarantee is troubling the leaders of Congress, the RJD and INDIA bloc. They say there should be a ban on Modi’s guarantee because it is illegal. Modi gives guarantee because the intention is right. INDIA leaders consider themselves as the permanent rulers of India,” Mr. Modi said.
Article 370
Attacking Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks on dilution of Article 370, Mr. Modi said he had given the guarantee to withdraw Article 370 and implemented the Constitution of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar in Jammu and Kashmir. “I was ashamed after listening to the Congress national president who asked why I talked about Article 370 in Rajasthan. Kashmir is ours and many jawans from Bihar and Rajasthan have sacrificed their lives to protect Kashmir,” Mr. Modi said.
He said he had given a guarantee to construct a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and now it had been fulfilled. The Congress and the RJD tried to stop its construction for many years, he said.
“INDIA bloc is a place of corrupt people and ‘antinational hate force’. Look at their statement, they talk about eradicating Sanatana Dharma, they talk about one more division of the country. The manifesto which was released by Congress two days ago has the imprint of the Muslim League. The Congress has released an appeasement letter not manifesto,” he charged.
Referring to the wheat crisis in Pakistan, Mr. Modi said, “Jo log India ko anakh dekhate the, wo abb antte ke liye bhatak rahe hai [Those used to stare at India are now searching for flour].”
Triangular contest
Although there is a direct fight between the NDA and the RJDled grand alliance in Nawada, the contest may be triangular. Apart from Mr. Thakur and RJD’s Shravan Kushwaha, Independent candidate Vinod Yadav is also in the fray. He is the brother of Bahubali (strongman) leader Rajballabh Yadav.
Later on Sunday, Mr. Modi launched the BJP’s election campaign in Madhya Pradesh with a roadshow in Jabalpur, which goes to the polls in the first phase on April 19. This was the Prime Minister’s first visit to the State after the announcement of election. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, State Minister Rakesh Singh, and BJP’s Jabalpur candidate Ashish Dubey were present.
Taking to social media platform ◣, Mr. Modi said the BJP governments had worked for a better infrastructure and road connectivity in the region. “Today the roadshow in Jabalpur was amazing! The enthusiasm and passion of my family members here says we are going to get the blessings for a third term. Along with better infrastructure and roads, we have done unprecedented work in every field here,” Mr. Modi wrote. He also hit out at the Congress and alleged that the people of Jabalpur had “long seen the antipeople politics” of the Opposition party.