With the second phase of the Bihar polls underway, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to wrap up his campaign for the Bihar state elections on Tuesday, 3 November, after two rallies in the Seemanchal region.
Speaking at a public rally in Forbesganj, Araria earlier in the morning, PM Modi said that Bihar is set to re-elect the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and reject the opposition’s ‘double Yuvraj’.
“Bihar has given a clear message, on the basis of the initial information we’re getting, that the state is set to re-elect the NDA government. Voters here have decided they’ll take the state to newer heights.”PM Modi at Forbesganj, Araria
The PM took a dig at opposition leaders’ comments about him being used to win state elections, saying that “Modi wins elections because he works to resolve the issues of all the (poor) mothers and sisters.”
He also took aim at the Congress, saying “The public cannot be fooled for long, look at what condition the public has put Congress party in... Today they do not even have a total of 100 MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha... people still punish them whenever there's a chance.”
Neither were the RJD spared, with the PM once again repeating the charge of ‘jungle raj’ against them.
“Bihar can never forget the day when they had made a mockery of the elections. All over, there was violence, killings took place, there was booth-capturing. The right to vote was snatched from the poor. In the name of jungle raj (rule of anarchy), votes were looted. The NDA has returned the dignity to the poor.”PM Modi at Forbesganj, Araria
Moving on to Saharsa, this time, the PM focused on the welfare programmes and economic benefits that the BJP had ensured for people of Bihar, including opening bank accounts, sending money to farmers (even during the coronavirus pandemic), electrification and the Mudra Loans scheme, particularly the benefits for women.
He once again urged people to vote and shared his appreciation for the people of Bihar’s commitment to vote, even in this time of COVID-19.
“It is the power of every single vote that will guarantee a bright future for the state of Bihar. Each and every vote is very important and powerful.”PM Modi at Saharsa
He also returned to the theme of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, and said that the ‘Vocal for Local’ will change the lives of local artisans by taking their goods to international markets. He focused on local concerns as well, from those of animal-herders and fishing communities, talking about the need to ensure they were protected from animal diseases, and the needs of local farmers, whether for fruits or jute.
Like at his earlier speech, Modi complained that his opponents had a problem with chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
“Allies of jungle raj in Bihar have problem with Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Jai Shri Ram: Can you imagine? Those who have a problem with saying ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ will also have a big problem in Bihar. There’s a need to give a befitting reply to such people.”PM Modi at Saharsa
The appearances by the PM – who has been the trump card played by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its campaign with ten rallies till now – are key to the BJP’s push for the final phase of polls on 7 November. 78 out of 243 seats are up for grabs in the final phase.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also on the campaign trail on Tuesday in Korha and Kishanganj. In comments on Twitter, the former party president said he would talk about increasing unemployment, farmer distress and the weak economy. He also urged people to go out and vote in the second phase for ‘a government of their choice’.
According to the Hindustan TImes, Gandhi will be concluding his own election tour in Bihar with rallies in Bihariganj (Madhepura) and Araria on 4 November. The newspaper also reports that a senior leader of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee has suggested that Gandhi will end his campaign with a joint press conference alongside RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is the chief ministerial candidate for their parties’ Mahagathbandhan alliance.
In a tweet earlier in the day, PM Modi had also urged people to go out and vote in the second phase of the polls. While urging voters to ensure the “success of democracy”, however, he had also cautioned them to ensure they maintained social distancing and wore masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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