Ara: Just four days before the first phase of voting in Bihar Assembly elections 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a huge public meeting in Bhojpur district of Ara. Describing the resolve of NDA as strong, PM Modi fiercely targeted the Grand Alliance. He termed the tussle over the CM post between RJD and Congress as ‘hooliganism’ and said that this game was played behind closed doors a day before the withdrawal of nominations.
NDA unity vs grand alliance clash: PM Modi said that RJD people have stolen the candidature for the CM post by putting a gun to Congress’s forehead. Describing it as a threat to democracy, he said that the NDA is firm on the path of development, while the opposition alliance is embroiled in infighting.
“Today, the entire NDA is moving forward unitedly with the resolve of a developed Bihar. On the other hand, there is a tussle between Congress and RJD. A day before the nomination was withdrawn, a game of hooliganism was played behind closed doors in Bihar. Congress did not want the name of RJD leader to be fixed for the post of CM, but RJD did not miss the opportunity. RJD stole the post of CM by placing a katta on the forehead of Congress, and kept on making the announcement.” Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
New gifts for farmers and cattle herders: In the public meeting, PM Modi emphasized on the plans of the new NDA government of Bihar. He said, “Our government gives Rs 6,000 to small farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. The new NDA government of Bihar is going to increase this amount by Rs 3,000.” Apart from this, referring to the announcement of ‘Bihar Milk Mission’ to increase the income of cattle farmers, Modi said that this will strengthen the rural economy. He also mentioned the progress in the fisheries sector, “There was a time when Bihar used to import fish from other states, but as a result of the policies of the NDA government, now Bihar sends and sells fish to other states.” Dream of ‘Make in Bihar’: Focusing on economic development, PM Modi said, “Today there is a lot of enthusiasm in the world about Make in India. Our aim is to make Bihar the center of Made in Bihar. For this, we will strengthen the network of thousands of small and cottage industries.” He promised to empower the youth power of Bihar and said that under the leadership of NDA, the state will come out of ‘Jungle Raj’ and touch new heights of development. Thousands of people gathered at the public meeting, where Modi praised Nitish Kumar and emphasized on the unity of NDA.
Tension regarding CM face in the Grand Alliance: With this statement of PM Modi, the already existing tension regarding CM face in the Grand Alliance has got a new lease of life. Despite RJD declaring Tejashwi Yadav as the face of the grand alliance, Congress initially showed hesitation. Congress leader Udit Raj had said that Tejashwi can be the CM face for RJD, but the decision of the alliance will be collective. During nomination, there was overlapping between RJD and Congress candidates on 10-12 seats, leading to the drama of withdrawal of nominations at the last moment. Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot was sent as a mediator, who held a meeting with Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi. Uncertainty on seat sharing: Despite the agreement on CM face in the Grand Alliance, the controversy over seat sharing persists. RJD fielded candidates on 143 seats, while Congress got only 61. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations has passed on seats like Bachhwara, Rajapakar and Bihar Sharif, leading to a ‘friendly fight’.
An attempt was made to attract Nishad votes by making VIP chief Mukesh Sahni the Deputy CM face, but dissatisfaction has increased due to Congress not getting any clear role. Calling it a weakness, the NDA propagated that the grand alliance has become ‘Mahathugbandhan’. Voting will be held on 121 seats in the first phase on November 6, where the issues of caste equation and development will prove to be decisive.
