Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Nov 1: As the Bihar Assembly election campaign gains momentum, fiery exchanges between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday set the political temperature soaring. Both leaders targeted each other’s parties with sharp barbs, presenting voters with contrasting visions for the state’s future.

According to reports, Shah was scheduled to address public rallies in Gopalganj, Samastipur, and Hajipur but was forced to go virtual due to bad weather. Priyanka, too, faced weather-related hurdles, taking to the road from Patna to Begusarai after her helicopter could not take off for Khagaria.

Speaking virtually, Amit Shah drew a clear line between the NDA and the opposition alliance, calling the upcoming polls a choice “between the Modi-Nitish partnership that stands for progress and the RJD-led bloc that would bring back jungle raj.” He warned voters against returning to the days of lawlessness, recalling incidents of violence and corruption during the RJD regime.

Invoking the alleged misdeeds of Sadhu Yadav, brother of former CM Rabri Devi, Shah said Bihar cannot afford to return to an era of fear. He cited the infamous 1999 “car showroom episode” during Misa Bharti’s wedding as an example of misuse of power under the RJD.

Reaching out to the electorate with promises, Shah pledged the reopening of all sugar mills in five years, additional Rs 3,000 under PM-KISAN, and expansion of the ‘Jeevika Didi’ women empowerment scheme. He also lauded late Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan’s contributions and announced that renovation work worth Rs 85 crore at Punaura Dham believed to be Goddess Sita’s birthplace would be completed within two years.

Shah further criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, alleging that the Congress was shielding “infiltrators”. “Let Rahul Gandhi take out as many yatras as he wants — every infiltrator will be sent out,” Shah said, supporting the Election Commission’s decision to carry out the nationwide voter verification exercise.

Meanwhile, addressing a massive gathering in Begusarai, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on the NDA, calling it a “double-engine government run by a single engine in Delhi.” She accused the BJP and JD(U) of “failing to deliver despite 20 years in power,” claiming that even Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had lost his political autonomy.

Highlighting poverty and unemployment, Priyanka questioned the Centre’s job creation record. “They promised one crore jobs, what happened to them? Why is Bihar still struggling with poverty despite its natural wealth?” she asked.

Vadra alleged that the NDA was attempting to “steal democracy” by deleting names of nearly 65 lakh voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. She also accused the Modi government of favouring big business houses while ignoring the poor.

Appealing to women voters, Priyanka urged them not to be swayed by cash handouts. “Take the Rs 10,000 they offer, but vote for your conscience,” she said. She also highlighted the Congress’s legacy of nation-building, including the establishment of IITs and IIMs, and promised to replicate welfare schemes from Congress-ruled states like Telangana and Rajasthan if the INDIA bloc came to power.

Dismissing the BJP’s “jungle raj” claims, Priyanka countered, “Law and order is already deteriorating in Bihar. Murders and attacks are happening frequently what more jungle raj are they talking about?”

As both leaders intensify their campaigns, Bihar’s political battlefield is witnessing a fierce exchange of accusations and promises setting the stage for a high-stakes contest in the days to come.