Amit Shah sounds ‘jungle raj’ alarm as Bihar poll battle begins

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the BJP’s election campaign from Saran, invoking the lawlessness during the RJD’s 15-year rule, often referred to by the BJP and JD(U) as ‘jungle raj’.

Addressing a massive public rally in Taraiya, Saran district, on Friday, the BJP stalwart directly targeted RJD supremo Lalu Yadav, invoking the name of former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin. “If the RJD still gives a ticket to Shahabuddin’s son, can Bihar remain safe,” he asked.

Advertisement

Referring to the RJD’s list of candidates, he added, “When I looked at their candidate list, I saw the name of Mohammad Shahabuddin’s son, Osama Shahab. If the RJD is still fielding Shahabuddin’s son, can Bihar be considered safe?”

The RJD has nominated Osama Shahab from Raghunathpur in Siwan.

Continuing his attack on the Opposition parties, Shah said to prevent the return of ‘jungle raj’ and to ensure safety of Bihar, the Modi-Nitish alliance must remain in power. He emphasised that the NDA’s fight under Nitish Kumar had always been against ‘jungle raj’, and that fight continues even today.

“During Lalu Yadav’s ‘jungle raj’, Bihar was plagued by kidnappings, ransom, murders, and a mass exodus. If there’s any place more appropriate to remind Bihar’s youth of the state they were left in 20 years ago, it is Saran–Chhapra,” he said.

Calling upon the public to vote without fear, Shah urged the people of Bihar to elect all NDA candidates with a decisive majority. “When people ask me about the mood in Bihar, I tell them that the NDA is set to form the government with the largest majority in twenty years. We are contesting the election in Bihar under Nitish Kumar’s leadership. Across the country, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the NDA. This time, the people of Bihar will have one more reason to celebrate Diwali, when the NDA returns to power.”

Later in the day, Amit Shah met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the CM’s residence. The closed-door meeting has triggered speculation in political circles. Sources suggest that the Shah-Nitish meeting may have been aimed at finalising the NDA’s election strategy and addressing the issue of rebellion within the ranks ahead of the Bihar polls. However, no official statement has been released by either party regarding the meeting.