Chhapra/Muzaffarpur, Oct 30 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today exhorted the people to exercise their franchise wisely and keep Bihar away from those who were responsible for "Jungle Raj" for 15 years since 1990.
While addressing public meetings in Muzaffarpur and Chhapra seeking votes in favour of NDA candidates in the ongoing assembly elections, Modi said those responsible for Jungle Raj were seen making lofty promises during elections to fool people of Bihar.
He exhorted them to keep away from power those responsible for perpetration of crimes and lawlessness during "Jungle Raj" in Bihar for 15 years since 1990.
"Law and order was in such a condition during the 'Jungle Raj' that even the wife of a senior dalit IAS officer was raped by criminals getting protection from RJD in nineties", the Prime Minister said, adding that despite complaining to the governor, the victim did not get any relief. Not a single family could be found in that era who had no bitter experience of Jungle Raj, he said.
"Marhaura in Saran district was once famous for the manufacturing of chocolates relished by people across the country but its factory was closed down after RJD and Congress were voted to power in Bihar in 1990", Modi said, alleging that the CM's residence was the epicentre of crimes across Bihar during those days. Kidnapping for ransom was the order of the day then, he commented.
"As per an estimate, 35,000 to 40,000 incidents of kidnappings had taken place during the 'Jungle Raj' in Bihar'", the Prime Minister said, adding that Grand Alliance leaders had never worked for the interest of people of the state.
Recently, Grand Alliance leaders had taken out "Yatra" for protecting infiltrators, in the name of opposing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, he stated. It appeared that infiltrators were parents of Grand Alliance leaders, he remarked.
Modi said only the NDA had the willpower and political determination to take Bihar on path of development, while Grand Alliance leaders themselves indulged in corruption and were on bail.
"Grand Alliance leaders Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav are deeply involved in corruption cases and facing trials. They are on bail and making lofty promises to fool the people of Bihar," he added.
"Only NDA can take Bihar on the path of development and prosperity," the Prime Minister claimed, saying those who themselves indulged in corruption could never make Bihar a developed and prosperous state.
Modi said that for the development of any state, industrialisation was an essential step, but it could never be done by the Grand Alliance. For industrialisation, land should be made available for the purpose, but RJD leaders were themselves indulging in land for job scam and in such a situation, how could they provide land, he added.
Similarly, law and order should be maintained for the rapid growth of industrialisation, but law and order was a distant dream for the GA leaders, he remarked.
The Prime Minister said Bihar had made great contributions to the development of India in its golden era. Bihar would have to be made a developed state if India were to become a developed country.
Modi said RJD and Congress leaders were known for fanning hatred, cruelty and animosity in society. They could never usher in development and prosperity for the people of Bihar, he said, while exhorting the masses to vote for NDA.
"Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had insulted people of Bihar and eastern India by his remark on Chhath, which is the most pious and revered festival for them", the Prime Minister said. For Gandhi, the Chhath festival was a drama and a large number of people offering "Arghya" to the Sun God on the occasion of this pious festival were "playing drama", he charged.
"On the other hand, our government had made efforts to get the Chhath festival listed in the world heritage list of UNESCO, a highly prestigious international body ", the Prime Minister said, describing the process as lengthy. It was expected that the Chhath festival would be listed by UNESCO as a world heritage, he remarked.
Modi said Chhath was a festival of humanity, equality and social harmony. Message of the Chhath festival would spread all across the globe once it was listed as a world heritage by UNESCO.
"It is most painful that Gandhi has abused the Chhath festival, which will not be forgotten by people for the next hundred years", the PM said while coming down heavily on Gandhi for his remark on the Chhath festival.
"Our government has decided to organise a national competition on singing and writing of songs relating to the Chhath festival and anyone could participate in the event from any language across the country ", Modi said and added that the message of the Chhath festival would have its effect in all states through the competition.
Those winning the competition for writing and singing in the Chhath festival would be felicitated next year before the fest, he added. UNI KKS MI SSP