Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp critique of the Rashtriya Janata Dal during his three-day Bihar visit Friday, accusing the party’s 15-year rule of setting the state back by decades while praising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s governance.
Speaking at an Intellectuals Conference in Patna, Shah targeted former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad’s tenure, stating: “In the 15 years of jungle rule alone, Bihar lost its pride, wealth, and knowledge. During the 15 years of jungle raj, Bihar had lost all its dignity, splendour, and excellence of every kind.”
Amit Shah lauds Nitish Kumar
Amit Shah credited Nitish Kumar with transforming the state’s trajectory. “Nitish Kumar has freed Bihar from jungle raj. PM Modi, over the last 11 years, has worked to develop Bihar,” he said, emphasizing that the upcoming elections would be contested under Kumar’s leadership.
The Home Minister challenged RJD’s campaign promise of providing government jobs to every family. With approximately 2.8 crore families in Bihar and only 20 lakh existing government positions, Shah questioned the feasibility: “To provide so many jobs, ₹12 lakh crore is needed, which is four times the budget of Bihar. From where will the money come from to pay the salaries?”
Shah also criticized RJD’s decision to field Osama Shahab, son of late gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, in Raghunathpur constituency. “If RJD gives a ticket to Shahabuddin’s son, how can Bihar remain safe?” he asked.
RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwary responded: “Late Shahabuddinn was made the MP by the voters, the people. Osama Shahab is an educated youth. Voters will also decide on him.”
Shah also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “Voter Adhikar Yatra,” calling it “ghuspetiya bachao yatra” (save infiltrator yatra) and supporting the Election Commission’s voter list verification efforts.
Congress leader Premchandra Mishra countered: “Our Voter Adhikar Yatra exposed how their regime deletes names of poor, Dalit, and minority voters from rolls to rig elections—’vote chori’ in plain sight.”
The exchange highlights the intensifying political battle ahead of Bihar’s two-phase assembly elections scheduled for next month.
