Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Congress in Nawada rally, stating that the progress achieved in the last decade surpassed what had been accomplished in the 60 years following Independence.
Speaking at a public gathering in Bihar’s Nawada, the Prime Minister emphasized that the central government is implementing decisive measures for the nation’s progress.
“I am here to eradicate poverty from the country. I cannot forget the situation of the country before 2014. Most of the countrymen were compelled to live in kutcha houses or were homeless. There was no gas connection available for poor. Middlemen used to benefit from the ration provided to poor…I have survived poverty. This son of a poor, is ‘sevak’ of poor,” the PM said, adding, “What we have achieved in 10 years could not be done in 60 years after Independence.”
During his second election rally in the state since the announcement of the poll schedule, PM Modi expressed his government’s goal of creating 3 crore ‘lakhpati didis’ (women entrepreneurs) in the villages of the state during its third term.
Furthermore, the PM remarked that over the last decade, the people of Bihar have witnessed numerous significant decisions being made in the nation’s interest.
“…I said this from the ramparts of Red Fort that this is the right time. India’s time has come. We should not lose this opportunity and hence this election of 2024 has become very important…In the last 10 years, the people of Bihar have seen many big decisions taken in the interest of the country. Today in India and in Bihar, modern infrastructure has been built. Today, modern expressways are being built in Bihar, railway stations are being modernized, trains like Vande Bharat are increasing,” the PM said.
Praising the region of Nawada, PM Modi highlighted its rich heritage, stating that the land of Magadha embodies the courage of Chandragupta Maurya, the intellectual prowess of Acharya Chanakya, and possesses the capability to guide the nation.
“This area is also the birthplace of Bihar Kesari Krishna Babu, the first CM of Bihar. Nawada is also the workplace of Loknayak Shri Jaiprakash Narayan. I respectfully bow to all these great personalities…” the PM added.
Accompanying him on the platform, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar asserted that development is rapidly progressing in the state.
“Development is happening at a fast pace in Bihar. What was the condition of Bihar before 2005? You could not step out of your house after the evening. Today you can move around freely…Husband and wife (Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi) ruled for 15 years but no work was done,” Kumar said.
The BJP has nominated Vivek Thakur, the party’s Rajya Sabha MP and son of senior BJP leader and former Union minister C.P. Thakur, as its candidate for the Nawada Lok Sabha constituency. Previously, on April 4, Modi inaugurated the Lok Sabha election campaign of the NDA in Bihar with a rally in the Jamui constituency. Polling for the Nawada, Gaya, Aurangabad, and Jamui Lok Sabha constituencies will take place in the first phase on April 19.
Under the NDA’s seat-sharing agreement in Bihar for the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is contesting 17 seats while its ally JD(U) is contesting 16 seats. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest from five Lok Sabha seats in the state. Additionally, Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) will each contest from one seat.