Under NDA govt, Bihar progressed from darkness to light: JP Nadda

Nalanda (Bihar), Oct 30 (PT) BJP president JP Nadda on Thursday asserted that the development of Bihar has acquired pace under the NDA government, which brought the state out of an era of darkness into light.

Addressing a rally in Bakhtiyarpur assembly constituency of Nalanda district, he also claimed that the RJD and its ally Congress are not concerned about people's welfare.

''Before 2005, Bihar was living in an era of darkness, but now there is light all around. Bihar has progressed from being a BIMARU state to a leading state, and it was made possible through people's power to vote,'' said Nadda, also a Union minister.

BIMARU is an acronym for Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, which used to lag behind on social and economic parameters.

''The RJD and the Congress are not concerned about your welfare. Lalu ji is concerned about making his son a CM, while Sonia ji is concerned about making her son the PM,'' the BJP president told the gathering.

The Union minister said that highways, internet, railways, and airports (HIRA) are the markers of development in Bihar, and are being improved by the NDA government.

“The railway budget of Bihar has increased ninefold under the NDA. There are 20 Vande Bharat and 26 Amrit Bharat Express trains that run from the state. Ninety-eight railway stations have been constructed or upgraded,” Nadda said.

He said the Jay Prakash Narayan Airport in Patna has been upgraded to international standards at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore.

“Bring the NDA government back to power, and you will see another world-class airport in Bihta, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs 1,400 crore, taking the number of airports to five in the state,” the BJP leader told the rally.

He said that a Youth Commission has been formed in Bihar, and efforts would be made to provide youngsters with employment.

''You can see 'acchhe din', when you remember 'bure din',” said the BJP president and listed what he termed examples of the ‘jungle raj’ of the RJD.

Nadda alleged that the Lalu Prasad-led party used to rule by spreading fear, and kidnapping for ransom became an industry.

He alleged that the ransom money was eventually found at Lalu Prasad’s residence.

Nadda also urged people to remember the ‘lathi rally’ by RJD workers in 2003.

He said, “Weren’t cars shoplifted from a showroom in Patna during Misa Bharti’s wedding. Wasn’t the wife of an IAS officer raped by RJD leaders with absolute impunity? Wasn’t it a jungle raj?” Claiming that the RJD has fielded the son of “criminal-turned-politician Sahabuddin”, Nadda said, “Those whose entire family has been to jail and are out on bail, cannot serve the people of Bihar.”