Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong confidence on Friday that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would return to power in Bihar with a record majority under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Speaking at an election campaign event in Samastipur district, PM Modi claimed that the NDA would not only secure a full majority but also surpass all previous records in the upcoming assembly elections.

“NDA will break all previous records this time,” he asserted, recalling the alliance’s best performance in the 2010 assembly elections when it won 206 seats, with Janata Dal (United) securing 115 seats and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning 91 seats in the 243-member Bihar assembly.

Criticism of RJD-Congress regime

PM Modi attacked the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-Congress combine, reiterating his long-standing claim of “jungle raj” during their rule. He said the people must prevent the return of RJD to power and vote for good governance. “RJD, Congress indulged in scams and their leaders are out on bail. Now they are trying to steal the ‘Jannayak’ title of Karpoori Thakur,” he said.

He added that the late Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur did not get his due recognition during the RJD-Congress regime. “It was NDA which awarded him the Bharat Ratna posthumously. Now they (RJD-Congress) are attempting to claim the title of Jannayak from the departed leader,” he remarked.

PM Modi further alleged that the RJD-Congress created obstacles for Nitish Kumar’s government, but the current NDA administration had successfully taken Bihar out of the political and economic morass, setting the state on the path of fast progress. “Bihar is now progressing under NDA rule, and people will not allow it to return to the ‘lantern age’ of RJD rule,” he said.

NDA achievements in Bihar

The Prime Minister highlighted several achievements of the NDA government in the state. He said that constitutional status was granted to the Backward Commission, a long-standing demand, and the SC/ST quota was increased during NDA’s tenure.

He also pointed out that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre allocated three times the funds to Bihar compared to the previous UPA government. He urged party workers to ensure NDA’s victory by being vigilant and actively supporting candidates in their constituencies.

PM Modi emphasised the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojna, under which financial assistance of Rs.10,000 each was provided to 1.20 crore women in Bihar. He promised that the NDA government would extend further support to women after assuming power in the state.

Tackling Maoist activities

Addressing the issue of Maoist insurgency, PM Modi claimed that the NDA government had taken decisive steps to reduce such activities. He accused the RJD-Congress of fostering Maoist presence in Bihar, which led to hundreds of deaths and the infestation of more than 18 districts. “People feared leaving their homes during that period,” he said. “After NDA came to power at the Centre in 2014, several measures were initiated to tackle the menace.”

He also criticised the previous regime for undermining opportunities for youth, women, and Dalits, adding that police stations were often inaccessible during RJD-Congress rule. “What justice can one expect when police doors are closed for these communities?” he asked.

Tribute to Karpoori Thakur

Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid floral tributes to Karpoori Thakur at his native village and met his family members, including Ramnath Thakur, a Union Minister in Modi’s Cabinet.

With the election campaign gaining momentum, PM Modi’s remarks underline NDA’s focus on good governance, women empowerment, and security as central themes for retaining power in Bihar.