‘People of Bihar won’t forget insult to Babasaheb’: Modi targets RJD over Lalu birthday row

In his fourth visit this year to the poll-bound state, Modi slammed the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress, referring to their time in power as “jungle raj” and contrasted it to the NDA’s rule, during which he said crores of people were lifted out of poverty.

Referencing a recent incident from RJD patriarch Lalu Yadav’s birthday event, where an RJD worker was seen holding Dr Ambedkar’s picture near his feet, the PM accused the party of “insulting Babasaheb”.

“Wo Babasaheb ko pair ke paas rakhte hain, Modi Babasaheb ko apne dil mein rakhta hai (They keep Babasaheb near their feet. Modi keeps Babasaheb in his heart),” Modi said, adding, “The people of Bihar will never forget this insult.”

He also accused the Opposition of focusing on “parivaar ka vikas (family development)” over “sabka saath, sabka vikas (development for all)”, and urged the people of Bihar to stay vigilant against those seeking to revive “jungle raj.”

In his 34-minute speech, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Siwan’s rich history, recalling the contributions of its famous sons, including India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, and social reformer Braj Kishore Prasad, who fought for women’s empowerment during the freedom struggle. “This land has empowered our democracy, our nation, and our Constitution,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the projects launched would benefit not just Siwan but also nearby regions like Sasaram, Buxar, Motihari, Bettiah, and Arrah, uplifting the lives of the poor, Dalits, Mahadalits, OBCs and EBCs.

Among the flagship projects inaugurated was the Vaishali–Deoria railway line, constructed at a cost exceeding Rs 400 crore, aimed at improving connectivity across north Bihar. The Prime Minister also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express connecting Patliputra to Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah, a move expected to boost travel and trade in the region.

One of the highlights was a state-of-the-art locomotive from the Marhowra Locomotive Factory, which will be exported to the West African country of Guinea.

“Today, the first engine from the Marhowra Locomotive Factory is being exported to Africa,” Modi said, predicting that Bihar would soon emerge as a major hub for ‘Made in India’ products.

Six sewage treatment plants (STPs) worth over Rs 1,800 crore were also inaugurated under the Namami Gange project, alongside water supply and sanitation initiatives worth Rs 3,000 crore aimed at improving living conditions in Bihar’s towns. Additionally, the foundation stone for a 500 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) was also laid. This is a project designed to stabilise electricity supply and reduce costs for consumers across the state.

The first instalment of funds for over 53,600 beneficiaries was also disbursed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-U). He handed over the keys to mark the completion of 6,600 houses. “These are not just four walls, dreams are nurtured in these homes,” he said, noting that most of these homes are “registered in women’s names”.

He said that during his recent visit abroad, he noticed global leaders taking note of India’s progress. “They see India becoming the world’s third-largest economic superpower, and Bihar will play a major role in this,” he said.

Modi credited Bihar’s people for rejecting the “jungle raj” of past decades. He said that over the last decade, 25 crore Indians, including nearly four crore in Bihar, have risen out of poverty. “Earlier, more than half of Bihar’s population was in the extremely poor category, but in the last decade, nearly four crore people in Bihar have lifted themselves out of poverty,” he said. He attributed this success to the NDA’s policies.

The Prime Minister also mentioned key infrastructure achievements, including 55,000 km of rural roads, electricity connections for 1.5 crore homes, water connections for 1.5 crore households, and the establishment of over 45,000 Common Service Centres across Bihar. He also spoke of the state’s entrepreneurial spirit, with startups emerging in small towns, and the construction of 57 lakh pucca houses under PMAY, including 1.10 lakh in Siwan alone.

The Prime Minister expressed optimism about Bihar’s youth and its industrial potential. “Bihar will become a major centre for Made in India,” he said, citing the Marhowra factory’s export success as a stepping stone.