launching his election campaign in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked the people of the State to vote for the BJP to make a new beginning by embracing vikaswad (development) as its experiments with other “isms” have failed miserably.
Bihar, he said has undergone many Rsisms’ like capitalism, feudalism, arrogant-ism, separatism dynasty-ism and asked the people to vote for develop-ism (vikaswad) because development is the solution of all ills.
The Prime Minister also appealed to the left extremists to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream. “Bullets give birth to destruction and ballot leads to development. Put down your arms and show faith in the electoral system,” he said.
However, Modi did not say a single word on the raging controversy over RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement suggesting a review of the reservation policy.
The PM also indicated when the special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore would be released to Bihar. Addressing his first-ever election rally at Banka, he said that the
special package he announced early last month for Bihar would be released when the BJP-led NDA Government would be formed in the second week of November.
In his famous style, he asked the people, “Should this Government be given even one rupee. I apprehend that this arrogant Government would return the money even if I release it to Bihar. I remember it had returned Rs 5 crore which I send on behalf of the people of Gujarat for assistance of the Kosi flood affected people. I have apprehensions that it will return the special package in a fit of anger. I cannot trust this Government.”
Then he turned towards former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and asked him, “Can you trust this GovernmentIJ” Manjhi rose and shook his hand in a negative gesture.
Modi said the Centre has opened its exchequer for the development of Bihar and the special package was meant to change the shape and fortunes of Bihar. “But I am not doing any obligation rather it is the right of Bihar which the State had been denied so far. You made me the PM and I am doing my duty as a soldier to do everything possible for the welfare of Bihar,” he told the large gathering.
The PM who returned from his US visit two days ago, said a large delegation of Bihari NRIs called on him and expressed concern over the situation in Bihar.
He said: “They wanted that I should intervene to bring change in Bihar.”
Modi said he was excited to see the crowd and declared, “By seeing this sea of humanity I am now sure that the NDA will form its Government here. This time Biharis will observe Diwali twice, first on November 8, when the votes will be counted, and then two days later.”
Modi did not mount an attack on RJD supremo lalu Prasad and his party, nor did he make a reference to Jungle Raj. He only took indirect pot shots at Nitish Kumar by referring to him as arrogant but without mentioning his name.
Modi referred to a World Bank report based on its survey of various States in which Bihar has been shown in a poor light. He said he was not comparing Bihar with any other State but only its neighbour Jharkhand.
In World Bank’s earlier report Bihar stood at 27th position in terms of investment, industrialization and law and order while Jharkhand which earlier was on the 29th position has now risen to third position. He said this happened in a short period after the BJP came to power there.
“Bihar will also undergo a similar change once the BJP-led NDA Government is formed here,” he said.