Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigning in Bihar’s Bhagalpur on Thursday, launched a sharp attack on the Opposition’s Mahagathbandhan, accusing the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of coercing the Congress into giving up its claim to the chief ministerial post.
In a strongly worded speech, Modi said the RJD had “snatched” the CM candidacy from Congress “at gunpoint,” using the metaphor of a katta (country-made pistol) to describe what he called the regional party’s political strong-arming.
The prime minister also mocked Congress leaders for what he termed their “arrogance,” saying that while the party often portrays itself as dominant, it had been forced to yield to its smaller ally.
“Congress leaders have been boasting that their party is the bigger one and RJD merely a junior partner. But RJD has challenged that arrogance, sidelined the ‘namdaar’ (dynastic leaders), and taken the CM post by force,” Modi told the gathering, referring indirectly to Rahul Gandhi as quoted by the ANI and the Hindustan Times.
He further alleged that Congress leaders were now “plotting revenge” against their alliance partner. “Those who betray their own for political gain can never serve Bihar’s interests,” he said.
Continuing his criticism, the prime minister revisited his long-standing charge of “jungle raj,” claiming that RJD’s earlier rule in Bihar was marked by violence, corruption, and misgovernance. “The RJD’s legacy is one of katta (guns), kroorta (cruelty), katuta (bitterness), and kushasan (bad governance),” Modi said as quoted by the ANI and Hindustan Times.
He praised women voters for turning out in large numbers during the first phase of polling, asserting that their participation reflected confidence in the current administration’s focus on safety and empowerment. “Mothers and daughters of Bihar are standing firm to keep the state free from jungle raj,” he remarked.
Elections in Bihar are being held in two phases, with the next round of polling scheduled for November 11. The results will be announced on November 14. The Opposition INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD and Congress, has projected Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate and Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) leader Mukesh Sahani as the nominee for deputy CM.
