Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, alleging that due to unchecked infiltration, the demographics in the Seemanchal region of Bihar are rapidly changing.
Addressing a public rally in Purnea on Monday, the Prime Minister accused the Congress, RJD, and their allies of shielding infiltrators, saying they are “shamelessly raising slogans and conducting rallies in support of foreigners who have entered the country illegally.”
“Not only is Bihar’s dignity under threat from Congress and RJD, but its very identity is in danger,” said Modi. “A severe demographic crisis is emerging in Seemanchal and Eastern India due to infiltrators. But I want to declare from this land that every infiltrator will have to leave this country.”
This marked Modi’s seventh visit to the poll-bound state this year, with a focus on 24 Assembly seats in the Muslim-majority Seemanchal region, comprising the districts of Kishanganj, Araria, Katihar, and Purnea. Kishanganj has the highest proportion of Muslim voters (68 per cent), followed by Katihar (44 per cent), Araria (43 per cent), and Purnea (38 per cent).
Modi said the Seemanchal region had long suffered under the “misrule” of Congress and RJD governments but asserted that under the NDA government, the situation is improving and the region is now at the centre of development efforts.
He further said: “Today, I inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 40,000 crore in Bihar, related to railways, airports, electricity, and water infrastructure. These projects will help fulfill the dreams of Seemanchal.”
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the new terminal building of Purnea Airport, which will significantly enhance passenger capacity in the region. He also launched the National Makhana Board that will benefit thousands of Makhana farmers in Bihar, which produces about 90% of India’s total Makhana.
“Our government prioritised Makhana farming. We promised to set up a Makhana Board, and we fulfilled that promise. We have already approved Rs 475 crore for the sector’s development,” Modi added.
He also praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his work on women’s empowerment in Bihar, especially through the Jivika Didi programme. The NDA government, he announced, has sanctioned Rs 500 crore to further strengthen this initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, Nitish Kumar highlighted his government’s welfare measures, including increased pensions and 125 units of free electricity for households.
“We have already provided 10 lakh government jobs and 39 lakh employment opportunities. Before the elections, this number will exceed 50 lakh. In the next five years, we will provide employment to 1 crore youth,” he said.
He once again ruled out any possibility of returning to the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA Alliance).
“There was some confusion in between. Everything was going wrong. I left that. Now, there will be no kind of alliance with anyone. There was a little back-and-forth. Forget that. Now, there is no question of going back,” he said.