Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to kickstart the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) campaign for the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar with a rally in Jamui on Thursday. This rally marks Modi’s first appearance in the state since the announcement of elections, signaling the commencement of a high-stakes electoral battle.
Scheduled to address the gathering around noon, PM Modi’s presence in Jamui holds symbolic significance, as it is the constituency previously represented by BJP ally Chirag Paswan. Paswan, who has now handed over the reins to Arun Bharti, expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister for choosing Jamui as the launchpad for the NDA’s Bihar campaign. He reiterated the commitment of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) to support Modi’s leadership and strive towards the ambitious target of securing 400 plus seats for the NDA, including all 40 in Bihar.
However, amidst the NDA’s fervor, the opposition has been vocal in its criticism, holding PM Modi accountable for what they perceive as the failures of his government, particularly in Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav, former Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), questioned the tangible benefits received by the people of Bihar in exchange for their overwhelming support to the NDA in the previous elections. Yadav alleged that despite the NDA securing 39 out of 40 seats in Bihar in the last Lok Sabha polls, the populace now feels disillusioned and neglected.
Responding to the opposition’s allegations, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad defended PM Modi’s record, asserting that the Prime Minister would outline his achievements and articulate his vision for the future during the Jamui rally. Prasad accused the opposition of resorting to insults against Modi due to their lack of substantive arguments.
Jamui is among the four Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar, along with Aurangabad, Gaya, and Nawada, slated to go to polls in the first phase on April 19. While the BJP is contesting Aurangabad and Nawada, former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha is fielding candidates in Gaya. The NDA alliance in Bihar also includes Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), which is contesting 16 seats, and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha, which will contest Katakat.
Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party is contesting in five seats, including Hajipur, the political stronghold of his late father Ram Vilas Paswan. As the electoral battle in Bihar intensifies, all eyes are on PM Modi’s rally in Jamui, which is expected to set the tone for the ensuing campaign.
