Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched another attack on Nitish Kumar for his "Bihari vs Bahaari (outsider)" campaign against him, this time asking, "If I am an outsider, what is Sonia Gandhi?"
"They say Modi is a bahaari. How can a Prime Minister who was elected by the people be a bahaari," the PM asked at a rally in Gopalganj, and then added, "Soniaji also lives in Delhi, what would you call her, a bahaari or a Bihari?"
The hint at Congress president Sonia Gandhi's foreign origins was lost on none.
The Prime Minister is leading his party's campaign in Bihar, with the BJP choosing not to project a chief ministerial candidate. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is seeking a third term, has repeatedly asked voters whether they want a "Bihari" to lead them or a "bahaari."
As campaigning wound up for the fourth phase of the Bihar assembly elections, the PM also took on the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Yadav-Congress alliance over a number of attacks that they have made on him.
"They allege that people are paid money to attend my rallies. Nitish Babu, now that you are tired of abusing Modi, you are abusing Biharis," said PM Modi, who has drawn massive crowds at his rallies in Bihar.
"They will pay a price for this," the PM added. His first rally today was in Gopalganj, 165 km from Patna and seen as a stronghold of Lalu Prasad. Mr Modi attacked the RJD chief and his allies, reading out a long list of "ghotalas" or allegations of corruption against him and his allies.
The prime minister said the solution for all the problems in Bihar is "development". He reiterated that India would develop only if Bihar developed and said he had a three-point agenda for Bihar - "Education, Employment and Health."
The fourth phase of the Bihar assembly elections is slated to be held on Sunday, November 1 in 55 of the 243 assembly constituencies of Bihar. The fifth and final phase in on November 5 and votes will be counted on November 8.