Patna (Bihar): Setting the tone for Bihar assembly polls, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the state moved from "jungle raj to janta raj" during the NDA rule and expressed confidence that the alliance will get a two-third majority in the state assembly polls under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.
Addressing the party workers and people of Bihar through a virtual rally, he attacked the opposition RJD saying the growth rate of the state was just 3.9 per cent when the party was in power, but it rose to 11.3 per cent under the NDA.
The state moved from 'lantern raj' to 'LED raj', he said referring to the RJD's poll symbol of the lamp.
Shah also said that Bihar has been the world leader in introducing and fighting for democratic rights in the country.
"The land of Bihar introduced democracy to the world. The great Magadh empire was founded here. It is the land of Buddha, Mahavira, Chandragupta and Chanakya," said Shah while addressing -- Bihar Jansamvad Rally -- through video conferencing.
Shah continued, "This land has always led the nation, and whenever democratic rights were tampered with, the people of Bihar rose up and India continued on the road to victory."
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He also remembered the role of the state's leaders in standing up against the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
"How can we forget the contribution of Babu Jagjeevan Ramji, Rajendra (Prasad), Jai Prakash Narayan, Shri Babu, among others in the freedom struggle. Even after Independence, when Congress leader Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency, attempting to crush democracy, it was the people of Bihar who rose under JP to re-establish democracy," he added.
At the same time, the former BJP president asserted that 'Bihar Jansamvad Rally' has no relation with the upcoming Assembly elections in the State, and was an attempt of "reaching out to the people."
This rally is aimed at connecting people with 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' campaign. The BJP will have 75 such meetings, he said.
Shah applauded both Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, saying they were working for the people though they might lack in publicising it.
He said that during the rule of JD(U)-BJP alliance Bihar came out of Jungle Raj' to 'Janta ka Raj'
Taking a dig at the RJD which protested against his virtual rally by beating utensils, Shah asked if anyone had stopped them from holding a rally, and added they were relaxing in Delhi.
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He said that though the opposition leaders dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to unite the country in the fight against COVID-9 as political propaganda, the nation stood with him and followed his appeals.
The central government safely ferried 1.25 crore migrants to their respective destinations after the required health infrastructure was ramped up to meet their needs, he said.
Talking about achievements of Modi government, he said issues which none dared to touch in 70 years were resolved in the first year of the Modi government's in 2nd term and referred to the scrapping of Article 370 provisions and the law against triple talaq.
Citing various steps for the welfare of the poor and the needy taken by Modi government amidst the fight against the pandemic, Shah asked what the opposition did for them besides doing politics?
The Home Minister also thanked the 'Corona Warriors' for their contribution in the fight against the infection and wished a speedy recovery to all those suffering from it. "I want to salute the crores of corona warriors, who are fighting against the virus by risking their lives. Health workers, police personnel and others, I want to acknowledge their contribution," said Shah.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
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