PM Modi Pitches For Nitish, Talks Galwan & Naxals in Bihar Rally

PM Modi will address a total of 12 rallies in Bihar ahead of the state elections next week.

PM Narendra Modi addresses first election rally in Bihar.

(Photo: PTI)

Addressing his third election rally in Bihar on Friday, 23 October, PM Narendra Modi said, “People of Bihar know that it is important to make Nitish Kumar the CM again for faster development of the state. The parties who are today standing against NDA are against the growth of the country.”

Earlier, in his second rally at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Gaya, PM Modi said, “Those who gave naxalism a free run in Bihar are arrayed against the NDA.”

On Friday, kicking off his election campaign with Nitish Kumar in Sasaram’s Biada Maidan, PM Modi attacked the Opposition for demanding the restoration of Article 370 in Kashmir.

He is scheduled to address a total of 12 rallies ahead of the upcoming state elections next week.

In Sasaram, PM Modi began his address by paying tribute to late union minister Ram Vilas Paswan and RJD leader Babu Raghuvansh Prasad Singh.

“Bihar lost its two sons recently. I pay my respects to Ram Vilas Paswan Ji, who was with me till his last breath and gave his entire life for the welfare of the poor and Dalits. Similarly, Babu Raghuvansh Prasad Singh ji also worked for poor. I pay respects to him,” he said.

The Prime Minister then paid tributes to the martyrs from Bihar, who lost their lives in the Galwan incident and the Pulwama attack in 2019.

“Sons of Bihar lost their lives in Galwan Valley for the tricolour and ensured Bharat Mata’s head is held high. Jawans of Bihar were also martyred in the Pulwama attack. I bow my head at their feet and pay respects,” he said.

He also praised the state for its efforts to fight COVID-19.

“Voters of Bihar have taken a resolve that they won't let those who have a history of making the state 'Bimaru' come near them,” he added.

Attacking the Opposition for wanting to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi said, as quoted by ANI:

“NDA govt abrogated Article 370. These people say that they will bring it back if they come to power. After saying this, they dare to ask for votes from Bihar. Is this not an insult to Bihar? The state which sends its sons and daughters to the borders to protect the country.”

PM Modi also said, “The NDA govt under Nitish Kumar in Bihar is necessary to strengthen the resolve of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.”

Ahead of the PM’s address, Nitish Kumar had said, “I welcome our Prime Minister, and I thank people for turning up in huge numbers despite the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Parallel Campaign by Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi

With campaigning for the Assembly elections in full swing in Bihar, Congress President Rahul Gandhi also added heft and heat to the proceedings from Friday with two election rallies.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, Tejashwi Yadav shared the stage with Gandhi in Hisua in Nawada district.

In Bihar, polling for the 243-member Assembly elections in three phases will be held on 28 October, 3 November and 7 November, while counting will take place on 10 November.

The first phase will go to polls for 71 assembly seats on 28 November, while the second phase will go to 94 seats on 3 November and 78 seats in the last phase on 7 November.