Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a comprehensive attack on the INDIA bloc alliance during multiple campaign rallies across Bihar, targeting the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal over leadership succession plans and security issues.
Leadership Succession Criticism
Addressing a rally in Darbhanga, Amit Shah mocked the political aspirations of opposition leaders’ families, stating their ambitions face practical obstacles.
“The BJP has given tickets to many youngsters for the Bihar Assembly polls, but the RJD and Congress have not. Lalu ji wants to make his son Tejashwi (Yadav) the chief minister and Sonia ji wants her son Rahul (Gandhi) to be the PM. I want to let them know that both posts are not vacant,” Shah declared.
Corruption Allegations
The Home Minister characterized the Mahagathbandhan as a “thug bandhan” (alliance of thieves), accusing Lalu Yadav of involvement in fodder, bitumen, and land-for-jobs scams. He claimed Congress was implicated in corruption cases worth ₹12 lakh crore.
Security Concerns
Amit Shah raised questions about the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), suggesting potential policy reversals under opposition rule.
“PFI operatives were active in Patna’s Phulwari Sharif. Searches were conducted across the country and members of the organisation were put behind bars. Do you think that the PFI members will remain in prison if the RJD-Congress combine comes to power in Bihar?” he questioned, crediting the NDA government with banning the organization.
Immigration and Governance
At a Begusarai rally, Shah criticized Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra, alleging it aimed to protect infiltrators. “Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Yadav want to ensure that names of infiltrators remain in voter list. Tejashwi and Rahul want to bring back ‘jungle raj’ in Bihar,” he claimed.
NDA Unity Message
Speaking in Samastipur, Shah framed the election as preventing the return of lawlessness. “The Bihar polls are an election to prevent the return of ‘jungle raj’ to the state. The NDA in the state is like ‘paanch paandav’ – a strong alliance of five parties,” he stated, predicting a historic NDA victory.
Shah also accused the INDIA bloc of attempting to diminish former Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur’s legacy, referencing Prime Minister Modi’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna upon him.
Bihar’s 243 Assembly constituencies vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results announced November 14.
