PM Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Begusarai in Bihar (Press Trust of India photo)
As Bihar readies to vote for its next government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that "elections will be fought on the issues of development". The choice, he said, was between 'vikas (development) raj' and 'jungle raj', referring to the anti-BJP coalition led by Nitish Kumar in the state.
Here are the latest developments:
Addressing a rally in Munger, the PM took a dig at the 'Grand Alliance' of Nitish Kumar's JD(U), Lalu Prasad's RJD and Congress, saying, "They looted Bihar for 60 years and now they have formed a Mahaswarthbandhan (alliance of opportunism)."
The PM, who arrived in Bihar this morning, stuck to the development theme as he addressed three more rallies in Begusarai, Samastipur and Nawada, attacking the Nitish-Lalu-Congress alliance for neglecting the state. The PM will hold a total of six rallies in two days as part of a re-drawn strategy by the BJP.
In Munger, the PM took a dig at Lalu Prasad Yadav who has been targeted by the BJP for controversially saying that Hindus eat beef. "See how a leader insulted the Yaduvansh," the PM said, referring to the Yadav community which has traditionally been linked to cattle raising. "Lalu ji, elections come and go but please do not forget these are the people who stood with you."
The RJD chief's comments last week came amid a massive controversy over the mob killing of a man in Uttar Pradesh over rumours that he ate beef.
Mr Kumar has accused the BJP of trying to "import" the beef controversy into the state to polarise voters ahead of the Assembly elections, to be held in five phases.
The BJP has tied up with three regional parties to take on the mighty combination of once-bitter rivals Lalu and Nitish Kumar, who is leading the 'Grand Alliance' and is seeking a third term as chief minister.
The BJP is not projecting a chief ministerial candidate and is asking Bihar to vote for Prime Minister Modi and his development agenda.
He is now expected to total almost 40 rallies in the state, and has allotted the party bulk dates before each phase of polling for public meetings.
The BJP's new strategy to carpet-bomb Bihar with the PM's rallies comes after reports that indicate a neck-and-neck finish for the BJP with the Nitish Kumar-led alliance.
On Monday, Bihar votes in the first of five phases. Votes will be counted in Bihar on November 8.
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