“Poverty can result from an opposition return to power,” claims Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing critique against the INDIA bloc, accusing them of seeking to return Bihar to the ‘lantern era,’ a reference to the perceived backwardness and lawlessness of the Lalu-Rabri government’s tenure.

He criticized the Congress-led opposition for their perceived leniency towards terrorism and their neglect of the underprivileged castes, warning that their return to power could result in “unrest, oppression, and impoverishment.”

Speaking at an election rally in Bihar’s Katihar Lok Sabha constituency, Shah credited the NDA government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, for ending the ‘jungle raj’ (lawlessness) in Bihar and steering the state towards development.

He alleged that the economically disadvantaged, the backward classes, and the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) were subjected to various injustices during the rule of the RJD-Congress alliance. Since the NDA government took office and Nitish became CM, he claimed, such injustices have ceased.

Shah highlighted the NDA government’s achievements under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, including electrifying every village and household and improving infrastructure. However, he criticized the opposition ‘INDI Alliance’ for wanting to regress Bihar to the ‘lantern era’ and oppress the OBCs.

The Union minister praised PM Narendra Modi for transforming the lives of the poor, emphasizing his efforts to eradicate dynastic politics, casteism, and appeasement politics.

Recalling the Lalu-Rabri regime, Shah criticized the RJD chief and Congress for joining forces against the BJP and JD(U), the parties that, according to him, have significantly contributed to the state’s development under a ‘double engine’ government.

Addressing Lalu Yadav, Shah highlighted the Congress party’s historical opposition to the interests of backward classes, citing instances of suppressing reports and recommendations favorable to them.

Shah concluded by highlighting the achievements of the Modi government, such as elevating a tea seller’s son to the prime ministership, appointing a significant percentage of backward and extremely backward MPs as ministers, and expanding the OBC category to include 16 new castes. He also mentioned providing free rations to over 80 lakh people and constructing more than 12 crore toilets.