Daijiworld Media Network - Nalanda
Nalanda, Oct 31: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp offensive against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, accusing him of “insulting Chhathi Maiyya” and “betraying his maternal roots in Italy” by allegedly belittling the sacred Chhath Puja festival.
Addressing four back-to-back election rallies in poll-bound Bihar, Shah said the people of the state would ensure that the INDIA bloc is “wiped out” for “disrespecting” one of Bihar’s most revered traditions.
“Rahul baba said that those who worship Chhathi Maiyya, including Modi ji, were indulging in drama. His maternal roots lie in Italy, so he fails to understand Indian culture and devotion,” Shah remarked, urging voters to “press the EVM buttons with such force that the tremors reach Italy.”
Taking a swipe at the Congress and RJD, the former BJP president accused the opposition alliance of “stalling the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya for 70 years.” He said the temple, for which devotees struggled for over five centuries, finally materialized under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
Highlighting developmental projects in Bihar, Shah said a grand university was being established in Nalanda that “no invader like Bakhtiyar Khilji could ever destroy again.” He added that the Modi government was spending about ?850 crore to renovate the Punaura Dham shrine in Sitamarhi, believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita.
“In two years, you will see Prime Minister Modi himself performing the pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony at Punaura Dham,” Shah declared.
Invoking the legacy of Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya from Nalanda, Shah contrasted Nitish Kumar’s administration with the “jungle raj” of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. “Between 1992 and 2004, Bihar witnessed over 32,000 kidnappings and 12 massacres. Nitish Kumar ended that lawlessness, but RJD wants to bring it back in a new form,” he said.
The Union minister also rubbished claims by opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav that the NDA would recover welfare funds from women’s accounts. “No one can dare take back that money. Such falsehoods are only meant to mislead the people,” he asserted.
Praising Nitish Kumar’s 20-year governance, Shah claimed there had been a “20% reduction in murders” and “an 80% decline in dacoities and kidnappings.” He said the NDA government was preparing Bihar’s youth to “win medals in the 2036 Olympics, which will be held in India.”
Lashing out at the Congress-led UPA, Shah alleged that the previous government was “neck-deep in scams worth ?12 lakh crore.” In contrast, he said, “Neither Modi ji nor Nitish Kumar has faced corruption charges.” He further accused Lalu Prasad of being involved in fodder, land-for-jobs, bitumen, and flood relief scams.
Applauding Modi’s decisive security policies, Shah cited the “surgical strike,” “Balakot airstrike,” and “Operation Sindoor,” which he said demonstrated India’s zero-tolerance stance against terrorism.
“We will drive out infiltrators from Bihar who rob the poor of food, jobs, and security,” Shah vowed.
He also announced the establishment of a medical college in Lakhisarai named after Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Sinha.
Campaigning for Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Sinha (Lakhisarai) and Samrat Choudhary (Tarapur), Shah cryptically hinted that the duo were “on their way to become big men.” His remark sparked political chatter, with Congress leader Pawan Khera posting on X, “Only the Chief Minister is bigger than the Deputy CM. Hope Nitish Kumar is listening.”
Shah concluded by listing central investments in Bihar — Rs 18 lakh crore in roads, railways, and expressways; ?9,500 crore for the revival of Barauni fertiliser plant; ?900 crore for infrastructure in Munger; and a GI tag for Katrani rice. He also mentioned the newly set up Makhana Board to boost the local economy.
With his fiery speeches and emotive appeals, Amit Shah sought to galvanize NDA supporters, turning the Bihar campaign into a high-decibel battle of faith, development, and pride.