Nitish Kumar freed Bihar from jungle raj, says Shah

Chief minister Nitish Kumar has freed Bihar from “jungle raj” in past 20 years, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Friday as he launched a scathing attack on former CM and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, saying that the 15-year “jungle raj” of Lalu-Rabri pushed the state back by almost half a century, adding that Bihar lost its dignity, splendour, and excellence during the same time.

- Vijay Swaroop

“What era was that, in which Bihar became a sick state. In the 15 years of jungle rule alone, Bihar lost its pride, wealth, and knowl- ‘edge. During the 15-year period of jungle raj, Bihar had lost all its dignity, splendour, and excellence of every kind. Imagine how those 15 years must have been... The period in which Bihar’s reputation declined...,” Shah said at the Intellectuals Conference in Patna

He added: “Nitish Kumar has freed Bihar from jungle raj. PM Modi, over the last Il years, has worked to develop Bihar. PM Modi's Il years have been a blessing to the poo!

Shah, who is in the state on a three-day trip, met Kumar in the morning, and later addressed a public rally in Saran district.

Reiterating that the upcoming elections would be fought under Kumar's leadership, Shah said: “We are fighting under the leadership of Nitish Kumar in Bihar. This time, the people of Bihar have the opportunity to celebrate Diwali four times. The first one is the one that comes on the occasion of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya. The second one has just finished. Nitish Ji and Modi ji have given 210,000 to women in Bihar. Third Diwali is the reduction of GST on 395 products to 5 per cent and 0 per cent. The fourth Diwali will be celebrated when NDA will come with the biggest majority, sweeping away Lalu, Rahul and company.”