'Ram Mandir-haters now maligning Maha Kumbh': Nitish by his side, PM Modi sounds poll bugle in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a rally in Bhagalpur on Monday. (Screenshot: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the National Democratic Alliance government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has eradicated the scourge of corruption in the state and juxtaposed he giant strides made by the government as opposed to the situation under the erstwhile rule of the Rasshtriya Janata Dal.

Addressing a rally in Bihar's Bhagalpur after releasing the 19th instalment of Kisan Samman Nidhi, the Prime Minister acknowledged a farmer's need for good seeds for farming, adequate and cheap fertilizers, irrigation facilities, protection of animals from diseases and protection from losses during disasters.

"Earlier, farmers were surrounded by problems regarding all these aspects. Those accused of usurping fodder meant for cattle will never understand the plight of farmers. The NDA government has changed these conditions," the Prime Minister said addressing a huge rally in Bhagalpur.

The Prime Minister also mentioned the Budget announcement of setting up a Makhana Board in the state. "This Makhana Board will assist farmers in several facets such as Makhana production, processing, value addition as well as marketing."

The Prime Minister also took exception to the politics over the Maha Kumbh and said that Opposition leaders have tried to malign the mega religious congregation in the same manner as they did for the Ram Mandir.

"Those leaders and parties who have never respected out culture and heritage, those who hated Ram Mandir, are now maligning the Maha Kumbh where more people than Europe's entire population have already taken a holy dip," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister's reference was to the remarks by RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav who referred to the Maha Kumbh as "meaningless". Asked to comment on the large crowds heading to the mega religious gathering, Lalu had said, "Kumbh ka kahan koi matlab hai. Faltu hai Kumbh (Is there any meaning to Kumbh?... It is just meaningless)."

The Prime Minister's attacks against the Opposition come ahead of the Assembly elections due in Bihar later this year. Several BJP and NDA leaders have termed the PM's rally as the onset of the NDA's poll campaign in the state. The PM's ally saw several top leaders of the NDA, including CM Nitish Kumar, in attendance.

During his address, the Prime Minister also said that India's agricultural exports have increased significantly in the past years as a result of the government's efforts. "Due to this, farmers have started getting higher prices for their produce.

"There are many agricultural products whose export has started for the first time. Now it is the turn of Makhana from Bihar. This is a superfood, which now has to be delivered to the world markets," he said.