Saharsa, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Saharsa, Bihar, on Monday, accused the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of deliberately stalling development projects in Bihar after Nitish Kumar assumed office. Modi asserted that the RJD, in an attempt to undermine the new administration and disrupt governance, exerted pressure on the then Congress-led UPA government to block key developmental projects and central funding for the state.

"The RJD deliberately hindered progress by using political pressure to stall central funding and clearances for infrastructure and welfare schemes," Modi stated, urging voters to reject what he described as "politics of obstruction". He claimed that Bihar's development had suffered due to such interference and called for support for a stable, development-focused government.

Modi recounted instances where crucial infrastructure projects faced roadblocks under the Congress-RJD alliance. He specifically mentioned the Kosi Rail Mahasetu bridge, whose foundation stone was laid by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003. However, according to Modi, the project faced delays after the Congress government, supported by the RJD, came to power in Delhi in 2004. Modi contrasted this with the NDA's commitment to development.

The Prime Minister alleged that the RJD's actions were driven by anger and arrogance following their ouster from power in Bihar. "They were so angry with the people of Bihar that they were hell-bent on destroying Bihar," Modi claimed. He further stated that the RJD, while in power in Delhi, began to "take revenge on Bihar" by halting projects and funding meant for the welfare of the people.

Modi also claimed that the Congress party reluctantly agreed to declare Tejashwi Yadav as the INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate only after the RJD exerted pressure. He stated that the RJD "put a 'katta' or illegal country-made gun on its head" to force the Congress to accept Yadav's candidacy.

The Prime Minister reiterated his development pitch, stating that the "NDA ki pehchan vikas se hai aur RJD aur Congress ki pehchan vinash hain". He contrasted the NDA's focus on development with what he termed the "Jungle Raj" forces of the RJD and Congress. Modi asserted that under Nitish Kumar's leadership, the NDA government had transformed Bihar from "Jungle Raj" to "Sushasan" (good governance). He accused the opposition parties of glorifying the era of "Jungle Raj" marked by lawlessness, corruption, and fear.

Modi also accused the opposition of siding with infiltrators instead of prioritizing Bihar's citizens. "Be it Congress or RJD, they are attached only to infiltrators," he said, adding that "Bihar needs protection from such infiltrators, and we are working to remove them".

The Prime Minister's remarks come ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, with polling scheduled for November 6 and 11, and results expected on November 14.