Rahul Gandhi launched the Bihar Assembly election campaign on Wednesday with a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bringing back the "vote chori" barb and alleging the BJP is undermining democracy. Addressing a rally in Muzaffarpur, Gandhi asserted that PM Modi "just wants vote" and would go to any extent to win elections, even to the point of dancing if asked.
Gandhi mocked PM Modi's recent Chhath Puja observance on the banks of the Yamuna, stating, "There's no Yamuna there; there's a pond there. Narendra Modi went to bathe in his swimming pool. He has nothing to do with the Yamuna. He has nothing to do with Chhath Puja. He just wants your vote".
Reiterating his charge of "vote chori," Gandhi accused the BJP of subverting democracy. "They are engaged in stealing your votes because they want to end this election disease. I am telling you, they stole elections in Maharashtra, they stole elections in Haryana, and they will try their best in Bihar," he said. He has previously criticized PM Modi for remaining silent on the alleged attempts to steal votes. Gandhi has claimed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is an attempt by PM Modi, the BJP, and the Election Commission to steal votes and snatch voting rights. He also questioned the addition of a large number of voters in Maharashtra after the BJP-led alliance lost there in the Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress leader also criticized PM Modi's economic policies, accusing him of crushing small businesses through demonetization and GST. "Tell me what is written on the back of your phone. Made in China. Narendra Modi ji has destroyed all the small businesses by implementing demonetisation and GST. Wherever you look, it is Made in China," Gandhi said. He advocated for a "Made in Bihar" economy, where mobiles, shirts, pants, and other goods are manufactured in Bihar, providing employment to the state's youth.
Gandhi also attacked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, stating that Bihar has no future. He said that the Mahagathbandhan wants a government that can provide healthcare, education, and employment to the people. He further added that Kumar's "face is being used" and that the BJP remotely controls him. "You should not think that the voice of the most backward people is heard there. Three or four people control it. BJP controls it. They have the remote controller in their hands, and they have nothing to do with social justice," Gandhi stated.
He was joined by Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial candidate. Yadav promised to end migration from Bihar and make the state crime-free and corruption-free. He also pledged to provide a government job to every family that doesn't have one within 20 days of their government being formed. The RJD and Congress-led Mahagathbandhan released its manifesto, titled "Bihar ka Tejashwi Prann," which promises government jobs for every household and the removal of the 50% cap on reservation.
Gandhi urged voters to support the alliance to protect Bihar's voice and promised an inclusive government representing every class, caste, and religion. He also vowed to defend the Constitution, which he said is under attack by Narendra Modi and the RSS. "Whatever you have got till date, be it vote, education, or health, is because of the Constitution. Narendra Modi and the RSS are attacking it," Gandhi said.
The launch of Gandhi's campaign and his strong remarks against PM Modi and Nitish Kumar set the stage for a fiercely contested election in Bihar.
