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Can Bihar afford to return to what PM Modi calls the “jungle raj” era? As the Prime Minister accuses the RJD of poisoning young minds, record voter turnout in the first phase of the Bihar election hints at a decisive battle for the state’s future.
He said RJD wants youths to carry kattas instead of books and laptops.
Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal during a campaign rally in Sitamarhi, Bihar, calling the party a threat to the future of the state’s youth. He accused the Tejashwi Yadav-led RJD of spreading dangerous messages among children and glorifying criminal behaviour.
“The RJD wants Bihar’s children to become rangdars, not doctors. Listen to their songs and slogans, they are poisoning young minds,” said the Prime Minister. “Should a child of Bihar carry a katta or a computer? Bihar does not want a katta sarkar.”
PM Modi’s remarks came in response to an incident at an RJD rally in Samastipur, where a minor was heard saying on stage that he wanted to roam around with a country-made gun if the RJD came to power. The Prime Minister said such behaviour reflected the party’s true ideology.
“Jungle raj means katta, krurta, katuta, kushasan, and corruption,” he said, using the alliteration to underline his criticism. “They are filled with immorality and want to bring back misrule.”
Explained: Why did voter turnout surge by 8%in Bihar Election 2025?
Modi contrasted the RJD’s alleged lawlessness with what he described as the NDA’s vision of development. He said Bihar’s children should dream of creating startups and innovations, not becoming extortionists.
“In earlier days, people would say ‘hands up’ while holding kattas. Today, we want children who can say ‘startup’ while holding laptops. We are giving them books and computers, while the RJD wants them to carry guns,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that the RJD leaders want their own children to become ministers, while encouraging others to follow a path of crime and fear.
Bihar Elections: Leaders step up campaigning from Seemanchal to Champaran ahead of 2nd Phase
The first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly election recorded a voter turnout of 64.66 percent, the highest ever in the state’s electoral history. Previously, the highest turnout for a state election was 62.57 percent in 2000.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar expressed gratitude to the voters for their enthusiastic participation. The higher turnout has ignited political discussions across Bihar, with both the NDA and the opposition interpreting it as a positive sign for their side.
Political analysts believe high voter turnout often signals anti-incumbency sentiment, but the NDA argues that this time it reflects the youth’s preference for stability and progress. PM Modi claimed that after phase one, “the jungle raj leaders have received a 65-volt shock” as Bihar’s youth voted for development.
He added that under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, public faith in governance has been restored and investors are showing renewed interest in Bihar, something he called “Modi ki guarantee.”
