Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing an election rally in Bihar's Banka.
In his first rally in Bihar since elections were announced,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for development today, pointing to how neighbour Jharkhand, ruled by the BJP, had jumped many places to now be ranked number 3 among Indian states in a World Bank survey.
"15 years ago Jharkhand was a part of Bihar. After Jharkhand chose a BJP-led NDA government, it has progressed much. In the last World Bank economic survey Jharkhand was ranked 29th, Bihar 27th. This time, Bihar is still no 27, Jharkhand is 3," PM Modi said.
The PM was speaking in Bihar's Naxal-affected Banka, which he said no Prime Minister had visited "for as long as anyone can remember."
"I appeal to the youth who have taken to the gun for Naxalism - the bullet brings only destruction. The ballot brings development," the Prime Minister said, adding, "Bihar has seen feudalism, casteism, capitalism, and nepotism...everything. For once, vote for development."
Even his customary attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar - who is leading a three-party coalition against the BJP - was for what he called cheating Bihar's people by not bringing them the development they need.
"In the last elections had the current Chief Minister not promised you electricity? Did he give you electricity? Did he not cheat you?" asked the PM. The crowd roared a, "Yes."
A BJP win the elections, which will be held in five phases from October 12, will mean two Diwalis for Bihar, the Prime Minister said, "First, when election results are declared and the second, on the day of Diwali." Votes will be counted on November 8, three days before the festival of lights.
The PM has promised Bihar plenty of light. He said all the state's poor would have homes and electricity by 2022, underscoring that he had mentioned in his very first speech in Parliament that his government would work for the poor.
PM Modi has so far addressed five election rallies in the state that have drawn large crowds.