Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Araria on Thursday, once again targeted the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), accusing it of delivering “zero (nil bate sannata)” development during its 15-year rule in Bihar.
“How many expressways were built in Bihar from 1990 to 2005? Zero. Zero means ‘nil bate sannata.’ How many bridges over the Kosi River? Not even one. How many tourist circuits or sports complexes for our youth and daughters? Again zero, nil bate sannata,” the Prime Minister remarked, reiterating his “Jungle Raj” label for the RJD regime.
He charged that during those years, the administration was marked by corruption and misrule. “In the name of running the government, you were only looted,” Modi told the gathering, adding that the era of “Jungle Raj” had completely “ruined Bihar.”
The Prime Minister contrasted his approach with that of past leaders, asserting that while “those who presided over the Jungle Raj used to call themselves your mai-baap and thought of themselves as emperors,” his own relationship with the people was different. “Modi is different -- for me, the people are my mai-baap, my guiding force. You are my masters; you hold the remote control,” he said.
Turning to the ongoing assembly elections, Modi hailed the “enthusiastic participation” of voters in the first phase of polling. “Beautiful pictures are pouring in from across Bihar. From early morning, long queues have formed at polling booths. Mothers, sisters, and daughters are casting their votes in large numbers. The youth, too, are showing unprecedented enthusiasm,” he said, urging everyone to come out and vote.
Confident of the National Democratic Alliance’s victory, Modi declared that “one voice echoes throughout Bihar -- ‘Phir ek baar NDA sarkaar, phir ek baar sushasan ki sarkaar.’ Behind this sentiment lie the hopes of mothers and sisters and the dreams of the youth. Remember, this Modi’s guarantee is that your dream is Modi’s resolve.”
Following his Araria address, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold another rally in Bhagalpur later in the day.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission reported a voter turnout of 27.65 per cent in the first four hours of polling.
Begusarai led with 30.37 per cent, while Patna registered 23.71 per cent till 11 am.
Lakhisarai, initially sluggish, reached 30.32 per cent.
Other districts showed similar enthusiasm -- Gopalganj at 30.04 per cent, Buxar 28.02 per cent, Bhojpur 26.76 per cent, Darbhanga 26.07 per cent, Khagaria 28.96 per cent, Madhepura 28.46 per cent, Munger 26.68 per cent, Muzaffarpur 29.66 per cent, Nalanda 26.86 per cent, Saharsa 29.68 per cent, Samastipur 27.92 per cent, Saran 28.52 per cent, Sheikhpura 26.04 per cent, Siwan 27.09 per cent, and Vaishali 28.67 per cent as of 11 am.
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