PM raises NDA poll pitch, calls Oppn 'tie-up of thugs'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) poll campaign in Bihar with back-to-back rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai districts, likening the Opposition to a coalition of thugs led a by "people out on bail" and predicting record-breaking victory for the ruling dispensation.

- Arun Kumar

In Samastipur's Karpoorigram, the ancestral home of Bharat Ratna socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, Modi alleged the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress had "wasted a lot of Bihar's money and precious time", drew a contrast between a "fractious" INDIA bloc and the "cohesive" NDA, and made an outreach to young voters.

"It was in October 2005 that your parents had brought Jungle Raj to an end. Exactly 20 years later, you have a big responsibility on your shoulders, to facilitate prosperity (samriddhi) by voting in favour of good governance (sushasan)," he said. Jungle Raj is often the term used by political opponents to describe the 15 years of RJD rule between 1990 and 2005, to describe the law and order situation.

"The candidates fielded by 'lathbandhan' [word play on gathbandhan] clearly indicate their desire to bring back the old days. Listen to their campaigning and you'll be reminded of Jungle Raj," he said.

Modi underscored that the NDA was fighting the assembly polls "under the leadership of Nitish Kumar", in an apparent rebuttal of the Opposition charge that after the elections, the BJP was planning to replace the 75-year-old JD(U) president, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term in office.

"Nitish Kumar worked day and night to change that and pull Bihar out of the dark age. A new era of development commenced. Now is the time for Bihar to gather speed for self-reliance and prosperity and ensure social justice in the true sense," he added.

Modi blamed the Congressled United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for stalling development in Bihar.