Modi targets Cong, RJD over ‘vote bank’ politics

The Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress have a soft corner for infiltrators, but “dislike” for Lord Ram and ‘Chhathi Maiya’ because of vote bank politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged on Thursday, as he led the ruling National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) campaign for the upcoming second phase of Bihar assembly polls.

- Sandeep Bhaskar

On a day when the first phase of polling for 121 of the 243 assembly seats in the state was underway, top NDA leaders, including PM Modi, five Union ministers-home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, transport minister Nitin Gadkari, agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and food processing industries minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan-as well as four BJP chief ministers - Mohan Yadav, Yogi Adityanath, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Rekha Gupta-campaigned for the ruling alliance candidates in various parts of Bihar.

"Bihar saw zero development during the 15 years of 'jungle raj'. No highways and bridges were built, nor any centres of higher learning were set up. The NDA under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar has worked very hard to bring the state out of that era," Modi, who addressed back-to-back rallies in Bhagalpur and Araria districts, said.

Attacking Congress and RJD, Modi alleged that vote bank politics has filled opposition leaders with contempt for traditions.