'DOUBLE DIWALI AWAITS BIHAR': PM MODI PRAISES YOUTH-LED PROGRESS

Modi lauds youth-led progress as NDA allies feud and Congress infighting turns violent.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA, SHIKHA SALARIA, TIKAM SHARMA, SHAILENDRA KUMAR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upbeat message on Bihar's transformation collided sharply with political turbulence across party lines on Wednesday, as the ruling NDA faced internal rifts and the Congress descended into street-level chaos in Patna.

Interacting with BJP workers via the NaMo App, Modi hailed Bihar's "peace and progress" as proof of change from the era of Naxal terror and fear. He said today's youth, aged 18-25, "have not witnessed the era that destroyed Bihar," when rail lines were blown up and people feared stepping out after dusk.

"Earlier, Naxalites looted coal and cement from trains.

Even taking pregnant women to hospitals was unsafe. That fear has vanished, and Bihar's youth are now leading its resurgence," Modi said, in a veiled attack on the RJD.

Predicting a "double Diwali"—one for the festival and another on November 14 when counting concludes—Modi said the NDA's victory would reflect Bihar's faith in stability and women-led growth. He cited Rs 10,000 direct transfers each to 1.2 crore women under the Mahila Rozgar Yojana.