NDA poised for record win in Bihar, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed his maiden election rally in Bihar, asserting that the NDA, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is poised to break all previous electoral records in the state Assembly polls.

Speaking to a large crowd in Samastipur, Modi contrasted the NDA’s cohesion with the squabbles within the opposition INDIA bloc, commonly known in Bihar as the Mahagathbandhan. “When allies quarrel, it becomes a ‘lathbandhan’, a tie-up where partners beat each other with sticks,” he said, taking a clear dig at the rival coalition. The Prime Minister also pointed out that several opposition leaders, including RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, are facing legal cases and are “out on bail,” questioning the bloc’s credibility with voters.

Modi showered praise on Nitish Kumar, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term, highlighting the state’s transformation under his leadership. “Central assistance to Bihar in the last 11 years is three times what it was under the previous government,” Modi said. He cited the state’s growth in agriculture and exports, including fish and the famed makhana, and said Bihar is now emerging as an attractive destination for investment and local startups.

Recalling the troubled days of the past, Modi referred to the “jungle raj” era under former governments, where corruption and Maoist insurgency plagued the state. “Under NDA, Bihar has kept the jungle raj at bay. Hundreds of people have been saved from Maoist violence, and the menace is now under control,” he asserted.

The Prime Minister also drew parallels with record-breaking NDA victories in other states such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Haryana, expressing confidence that Bihar will witness a similar outcome under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

Beginning his speech in Maithili and using local idioms, Modi connected with the audience on a cultural level. Prior to the rally, he visited Karpoori Gram, the village named after former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, paying tribute to the Bharat Ratna awardee. He acknowledged the upcoming Chhath festival and also referenced the recent GST rate revisions, calling it a “festival of savings” for citizens.

The 243-member Bihar Assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be announced on November 14.