Nitish cheating Bihar, says Modi; CM replies PM disturbed with falling Sensex, GDP

Watch Video: Narendra Modi in Bihar: Nitish Trying To Cheat The State

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Earlier in the day, addressing BJP’s fourth ‘Parivartan Rally’ in Bhagalpur, Modi accused Kumar and his new ally RJD chief Lalu Prasad, both products of the JP movement, of sacrificing the legacy of socialist icons Ram Manohar Lohia and Jayaprakash Narayan by aligning with Congress.

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He also accused the two leaders of spreading the “poison of casteism and communalism” during the 25 years they ruled the key Hindi heartland state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan and other leaders waves at crowd during the NDA’s Parivartan Rally at the Airport Ground in Bhagalpur on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

“At least I have forced them to talk about development. Did the Bihar CM not announce a Rs 2.7 lakh crore package because of my announcement (of a Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package for the state)? It makes me happy to see that development has become the main electoral plank in Bihar. But should they not give an account for their 25 years of rule in Bihar? This is the Assembly election, I will give mine before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections,” Modi said, addressing the Bhagalpur-Seemanchal region where BJP lost five seats in the Lok Sabha polls.

“The Bihar government has a development budget of Rs 50,000-Rs 55,000 crore. You multiply it by five and you will get the figure announced by the Bihar CM,” Modi said, adding that the Centre would, however, give the state Rs 3.74 lakh crore in five years as per the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission. “This is besides the Rs 1.65 lakh crore cumulative package announced by us. The Bihar CM talks of expenses of only Rs 2.7 lakh crore; what about the rest? Is Rs 1.08 lakh crore for fodder?” said Modi, in a veiled jibe at RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing NDA’s Parivartan Rally at the Airport Ground in Bhagalpur on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Calling the people of Bihar the “wisest”, Modi said, “People are now interested in making a progressive Bihar, where there is employment and where mothers and sisters are safe.”

Modi also said the Opposition’s primary agenda is to target him. “They are doing only Modi, Modi. They do not have an action-plan or what they want to do for the youth. I have announced a Bihar package but they are splitting hairs,” he said.

BJP MP Ashwani Chaubey presenting memento to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at NDA’s Parivartan Rally at the Airport Ground in Bhagalpur on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

The PM also used the state’s health figures in a bid to put the government on the back foot. “The number of community health centres has increased in the country from 3,300 to 5,300 in the last five years — from 336 to 500 in Rajasthan, 229 to 334 in Madhya Pradesh and 116 to 157 in Chhattisgarh. But that figure has come down from 102 to 70 in Bihar,” he said.

Responding to Kumar’s taunt that the PM was remembering Bihar after 14 months, Modi said, “Where is the question of remembering Bihar when I have not forgotten it. When there was an earthquake, I called the Bihar CM, who said he was in Delhi. I called my party leaders to get district-wise update and later also sent some ministerial colleagues. I also acted swiftly in averting another Kosi-like disaster last year. This was my love for Bihar. If Bihar goes ahead, the country will also move forward.”