As the Bihar Assembly elections approach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified his attack on the Opposition alliance, accusing the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress of being trapped in infighting and opportunistic politics. Speaking at a series of rallies in Bhojpur and Nawada districts on Sunday, PM Modi alleged that the two parties were plotting against each other even as they attempted to present a united front. He contrasted their internal discord with the unity and stability of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), portraying his coalition as the only reliable force capable of ensuring Bihar’s continued progress.
PM Modi Slams Opposition’s Internal Rift and “Jungle Raj” Politics
At a massive rally in Arrah, PM Modi launched a sharp attack on the Opposition bloc, describing the alliance as one held together by “fear and selfishness” rather than principles or vision. He claimed that the RJD had coerced the Congress into naming Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc, calling it a “forced compromise born out of political blackmail.”
“The Congress never wanted to declare the chief ministerial candidate in favour of the RJD. The RJD forced its way by putting a ‘katta’ [homemade gun] to the Congress’s head. This is the politics of ‘jungle raj,’” PM Modi told the crowd, evoking loud cheers. His remarks referred to weeks of tension within the Opposition alliance before Tejashwi Yadav was announced as the bloc’s face in late October, following disputes over seat-sharing and leadership.
Without naming either Rahul Gandhi or Tejashwi Yadav, PM Modi took another dig at the Opposition leaders, saying, “The crown prince of ‘jungle raj’ is worried that the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ of the other prince might harm his prospects. That is why the RJD has fielded its own candidate against the Congress state president. Once the polls are over, they will be fighting each other rather than the NDA.”
The Prime Minister’s comments came amid heightened tensions within the Opposition alliance, with reports suggesting that several Congress leaders were unhappy with the distribution of seats and the prominence given to RJD candidates. PM Modi sought to exploit this unease, portraying the INDIA bloc as a fragile coalition lacking coherence and trust.
Meanwhile, RJD national general secretary Abdul Bari Siddiqui dismissed the Prime Minister’s statements as “baseless and unbecoming of his office.” He said, “It does not suit a Prime Minister to use such language. Instead of targeting us, he should focus on the divisions within his own alliance.” Congress Rajya Sabha MP Akhilkesh Prasad Singh echoed similar sentiments, saying that the RJD and Congress shared a long-standing relationship and continued to work in coordination.
PM Modi, however, doubled down on his criticism, asserting that the NDA remained united with a shared vision of progress and governance. Speaking later at his Nawada rally, he said, “The NDA is bound by one mission—Bihar’s development. Under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, the state has moved out of the shadows of misrule and chaos. There is no place in Bihar for those who represent the dark days of ‘jungle raj.’”
He further claimed that the Opposition’s manifesto was filled with “false promises and deceit,” describing it as a “document of lies” designed to mislead voters. “On one side, the NDA has released an honest manifesto reflecting our resolve for a developed Bihar. On the other side, those from the ‘jungle raj’ era have presented a document that mocks the people’s intelligence. Do they think Bihar’s janata janardan is naïve? The people know the truth,” he declared.
PM Modi’s speeches throughout the day carried a recurring theme—contrasting the NDA’s record of governance with the Opposition’s history of instability and corruption. He accused the Congress and RJD of mismanaging Bihar during their earlier tenures and said their alliance was merely a political arrangement of convenience, not conviction.
PM Modi Highlights NDA’s Development Vision and Cultural Commitment
The Prime Minister also sought to reinforce his image as a leader of development and cultural integrity. Drawing attention to the NDA’s achievements in infrastructure, social welfare, and governance, PM Modi said his government was focused on delivering results, not rhetoric. “When PM Modi makes a promise, it is fulfilled. Whether it was the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir or Operation Sindoor to strike at enemy camps PM Modi delivers what he says,” he declared, drawing applause from the crowd.
He contrasted this with what he described as the Opposition’s record of inaction and double-speak, alleging that the RJD and Congress had historically failed to deliver even the most basic amenities to Bihar’s people. “They ruled Bihar for decades and left it in darkness, unemployment, and poverty. The NDA has changed that. Today, Bihar stands on the threshold of transformation,” he said.
PM Modi also accused Opposition leaders of showing disrespect toward India’s culture and traditions. “During the Maha Kumbh, RJD leaders called it ‘faltu’ (bogus), and now a Congress leader has termed Chhath Puja a ‘drama.’ Will anyone vote for those who insult our culture and faith?” he asked. He described these remarks as evidence of the Opposition’s “detachment from the people’s roots and values.”
Emphasizing his government’s cultural sensitivity, PM Modi added that the NDA viewed festivals like Chhath not as political symbols but as reflections of Bihar’s rich heritage and devotion. “These are not mere rituals—they represent the soul of Bihar. Those who mock such traditions cannot understand the heartbeat of the people,” he said.
The Prime Minister also invoked the theme of national pride, asserting that while the country felt empowered by decisive governance, the Congress and its allies continued to oppose actions that strengthened India’s security and unity. “When our soldiers struck terrorist camps, people celebrated. But the Congress leadership lost sleep. This difference tells you who stands with the nation and who stands against it,” he said.
In his Nawada speech, PM Modi projected the NDA as a “cohesive unit guided by foresight and integrity,” promising to continue steering Bihar toward prosperity. “The NDA will achieve a record victory because people have faith in our leadership, our intent, and our ability to deliver. Together, we are building a developed Bihar, which is essential for a Viksit Bharat,” he declared.
Later in the evening, PM Modi led a grand 2.5-kilometre roadshow in Patna, drawing massive crowds along both sides of the route. The roadshow began at Dinkar Golambar and ended near Gandhi Maidan, covering the distance in about 40 minutes. The Prime Minister first paid floral tribute at the statue of poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar before boarding a flower-decked open vehicle designed as a ‘rath’. People lined the streets waving flags and showering petals as the motorcade passed.
However, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s absence from the event drew attention. JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar clarified that the Chief Minister was engaged in election campaigning across the state and could not align his schedule with PM Modi’s itinerary. “There is no other reason for his absence,” he said, dismissing speculation of any internal differences within the NDA.
Throughout the rallies, PM Modi’s rhetoric blended sharp criticism of his rivals with a forward-looking narrative focused on development, governance, and cultural pride. His speeches underscored the NDA’s attempt to project itself as a stable, result-oriented coalition in contrast to the Opposition’s fractured alliance. With the first phase of Bihar’s assembly elections scheduled for November 6, the Prime Minister’s campaign has entered its peak, aiming to consolidate NDA’s core support base while appealing to swing voters seeking continuity and progress.
