‘Tejashwi’s Favourite CM Insults Biharis,’ Says Shah
“Someone asked Lalu’s son who his favourite CM is. He said Stalin, whose party compares Biharis with beedis,” Shah told the Bhagalpur crowd. “Tejashwi’s favourite CM is one who insults Biharis and opposes the creation of the Ram Temple,” he added, accusing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of “insulting Sanatan Dharma.”
Shah’s comments come amid a heated campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan are locked in a fierce battle. The Union Minister framed the contest as one between “development and jungle raj.”
‘UPA Lacked Courage to Fight Terrorism’
Continuing his attack, Shah accused the Congress leadership of weakness during the UPA years. “During Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh’s tenure, terrorists attacked repeatedly, but they lacked the courage even to issue statements against Pakistan,” he said. He claimed that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, “India responds to terror with strength.”
Promises for Bihar’s Development
In his speeches, Shah announced a series of infrastructure and industrial projects for Bihar, promising that “if the NDA returns to power, Bihar will become a developed state within five years.” He outlined plans for an electric vehicle manufacturing cluster, a defence corridor, an ordinance factory, and several medical and engineering colleges.
“Explosives made in Bihar’s defence corridor will be used against terrorists,” he said, adding that the Modi government had already made Bihar a leader in ethanol production and pisciculture. A mega food processing unit for Zardalu mangoes, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes was also announced.
‘No One Can Stop Sita Temple in Bihar’
Reaffirming the BJP’s cultural agenda, Shah declared that the construction of a “grand temple of Goddess Sita in Bihar” was inevitable. “Can Lalu-Rahul stop it? They once jailed Advani during the Ram Rath Yatra, but now no one can stop Sita temple,” he said, drawing loud cheers from the audience.
He contrasted the BJP’s religious and developmental commitments with what he termed the Opposition’s “dynastic politics,” saying, “Lalu-Rabri-Rahul only work for their sons and daughters. Such people cannot develop Bihar.”
Attack on Mahagathbandhan
Shah also mocked the Opposition alliance, calling it a “thagbandhan” instead of “mahagathbandhan.” He alleged that the RJD-Congress coalition “did nothing for the poor” and “patronised infiltrators who grabbed jobs and resources meant for Biharis.” He urged voters to support the BJP-led NDA to “end jungle raj once and for all.”
Counter from DMK and Opposition
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had criticized Prime Minister Modi for what he described as “divisive remarks” made during the Bihar campaign. Stalin accused the BJP of “cheap politics” and claimed the party was showing “malice against Tamils.” The DMK has denied making any statements comparing Biharis with beedis, calling Shah’s remarks “distorted and misleading.”
Meanwhile, RJD and Congress leaders accused the BJP of trying to divert attention from unemployment and inflation issues in Bihar.
