In poll-bound Bihar, Modi harps on Lalu era 'jungle raj', attacks him for 'insulting' Ambedkar

'Lawlessness, poverty and migration were the hallmark during the RJD era. It was only Nitish who put Bihar back on the fast track of development', Modi said.

Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad and his ally - the Congress - while reasoning why Bihar remained backward for years.

“The younger generation in their 20s, who have come here to listen to me, braving the rain and the inclement weather, may not be aware of the Jungle Raj which prevailed during the RJD rule. Lawlessness, poverty and migration were the hallmark during that era. It was only Nitish who put Bihar back on the fast track of development,” said Modi, while addressing an NDA rally in Bihar’s Siwan district.

This was virtually Modi’s style to sound an election bugle in the poll-bound state which will have an Assembly election in the month of October and November, although the PM’s speech apparently lacked the depth and sharpness for which Modi has been known all these years.

“The entire nation has recently seen the video footage where the RJD dishonoured Baba Saheb Ambedkar but these people (in apparent reference to Lalu Prasad) will never apologise for their folly. Modi, on his part, keeps Ambedkar in his heart,” said the Prime Minister as the modest crowd cheered in unison. “For them (the RJD and the Congress), family comes first. While we in the BJP have preferred ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ (growth for all),” said the PM.

Modi also flagged off several projects worth thousands of crores in the field of power, railways and drainage.

'Global appreciation for India'

“It was only yesterday that I returned from the three-nation tour. Leaders across the globe have been lauding India’s growth as the world’s third largest economy. But if India has to grow further, Bihar will have to help propel the growth,” said Modi, for whom this was his fourth visit to the State this year.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar thanked PM Modi profusely for his support to Bihar. “Every time you visit Bihar, you have doled out projects worth several thousands of crores. This has helped the State grow by leaps and bounds,” said Nitish, who will be the face of the NDA during the ensuing elections, slated soon after the monsoon is over.