'15 years of jungle raj...': Amit Shah launches scathing attack on Lalu Yadav ahead of Bihar polls

Home Minister Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched a scathing attack on RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and said that Bihar was pushed back by almost half a century by the 15-year "jungle raj" of Lalu-Rabri rule. He also said that Bihar lost its dignity, splendor and excellence in the process.

He also launched an attack on Tejashwi Yadav and said that the people of Bihar are seeing the same "jungle raj" with new faces asking for votes from them.

Addressing the Intellectuals Conference in Bihar's Patna, Shah stated, "What era was that, in which Bihar became a sick state. In the 15 years of jungle rule alone, Bihar lost its pride, wealth, and knowledge. During the 15-year period of jungle raj, Bihar had lost all its dignity, splendor, and excellence of every kind. Imagine how those 15 years must have been... The period in which Bihar's reputation declined..."

He further alleged that the industries set up in Bihar after independence left the state due to "Lalu Yadav's jungle-raj."

The Union Minister said, "When he (Lalu Yadav) came out of jail in a corruption case and a procession was taken out on an elephant, we could not understand this kind of shamelessness... The industries that were established in Bihar at the time of independence gradually started leaving Bihar... That 15-year rule pushed Bihar back by almost half a century. The same 'jungle raj' is in front of the people of Bihar today with new faces."

As Bihar is witnessing its assembly elections being conducted in just two phases this time, Shah took an aim at the Mahagathbandhan, saying, "I want to ask Lalu and Rahul Company that earlier elections used to be held in 6 phases in Bihar, whereas now elections are being held in just 2 phases. It had to be done in 6 phases because so many security arrangements couldn't be made, and now it's happening in 2 phases because Bihar has become safe."

Shah further said, "From Independence to many years, Bihar has made a very significant contribution to the country's political life, social life, and the country's history. We all have to think about what has happened to Bihar with its glorious history that it has gradually become a sick state. Bihar, which once provided the President of the Constituent Assembly for the making of the Constitution of the country. Bihar, which led the fight against the attack on democracy before and after independence. How has that Bihar suddenly become such that it is now known across the country as a backward state?"

Polling for the Bihar elections 2025 will take place on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14. The NDA has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, with the BJP and Janata Dal (United) set to contest 101 constituencies each.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) have been allotted six seats each while Union Minister Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest on 29 seats.

(With ANI inputs)