Today in Purnia, Bihar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a speech before a large crowd. In advance of the 2024 General Elections, Mr. Shah essentially began the BJP’s solo electoral campaign for Bihar in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Directly criticising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for severing connections with the BJP, Mr. Shah claimed that the leader of the Janata Dal (United) did so in order to pursue his desire to become prime minister.
After Mr. Kumar left the BJP-led National Democratic Coalition (NDA) last month and established a Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) with Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal, the gathering, called “Jan Bhavna Mahasabha,” is the first one the BJP has organised in the state.
Mr. Shah is currently in the state for a two-day visit.
The Union Home Minister slammed Mr. Kumar and said: “Only half as many seats as the BJP were won by Nitish Kumar’s party in the most recent Bihar legislative elections. Even then, Modi ji agreed to let Nitish Kumar serve as the chief minister of Bihar since he had pledged that the alliance [NDA] would function well with Kumar in charge. But he turned on us. His desire to become prime minister led him to team up with Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Congress.”
The Union Minister for the Interior added: “Nitish Kumar’s only goal is to maintain his position of authority at any costs. But now that he has been exposed, the people of Bihar are unwilling to give him a second chance.”
He declared: “The people of Bihar know that only Modi ji’s lotus—the BJP’s electoral emblem—will bloom in Bihar in the upcoming elections.”
The Union Home Minister mentioned an airport among the Central government’s priorities in the state during his speech. Mr. Shah spoke to the audience and said: “Taaliyaan bajao arre. Yes, the airport is accessible to all “ (Applaud, we have built this airport for you).
Mr. Shah will meet in Kishanganj later today with BJP MPs, MLAs, and former ministers from Bihar. In the evening, he will preside over the BJP State Core Committee meeting.
