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As Bihar votes in the first phase of its 2025 Assembly Elections, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde joins national leaders in warning against the return of ‘jungle raj’, urging voters to choose stability, progress and self-reliance.
Eknath Shinde says Biharis want development, not jungle raj.
Kandivali: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has asserted that the people of Bihar no longer want to return to an era of “jungle raj and hooliganism.” Speaking at an interaction with members of the Bihari community in Mumbai’s Kandivali area on Wednesday, Shinde said that Bihar’s voters were now prioritizing development, governance, and stability over chaos and misrule.
“The NDA government came to power in Bihar after ending the jungle raj that existed there. People today are choosing development because they do not want hooliganism and jungle raj to return,” he said, targeting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son, Tejashwi Yadav.
The RJD, leading the opposition Mahagathbandhan, has fielded Tejashwi as its chief ministerial face against NDA’s Nitish Kumar, who is seeking another term as chief minister.
In a sharp political attack, Shinde accused the Congress and RJD of running campaigns based on “falsehoods and fear.” He claimed that the NDA, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had focused on strengthening democracy and promoting inclusive development.
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He also took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently accused the BJP of “vote theft.” Shinde responded, saying, “Rahul Gandhi is making unfounded allegations to maintain his political existence. Those who accuse the Modi government of vote-rigging have themselves been involved in note-rigging. For Modi, the nation comes first; for the opposition, corruption comes first.”
Shinde also confirmed his plans to visit Bihar along with party colleague and former MP Sanjay Nirupam to extend support to NDA candidates ahead of the second phase of polling.
Shinde’s comments echoed the strong statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during their campaign rallies in Bihar.
Addressing voters, PM Modi said, “The power of your vote can protect Bihar from the misfortune of jungle raj. The 1990s were marked by cruelty, corruption, and misgovernance, but Bihar now deserves a future of opportunity and justice.”
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Amit Shah, meanwhile, took to social media to urge voters to participate in record numbers. “Every vote you cast will prevent the return of jungle raj, sustain good governance, and build a developed, self-reliant Bihar,” he said.
Beyond political rhetoric, Shinde also addressed issues concerning the Bihari migrant community in Mumbai. He said that the Maharashtra government would focus on ensuring housing through cluster redevelopment schemes and would implement sewage treatment projects like the Poisar River purification plan to improve living conditions in urban areas.
Shinde emphasized that his government would continue development-oriented initiatives, such as the Deep Clean Drive campaign, to enhance civic infrastructure in Mumbai.
As Bihar’s first phase of polling continues, the “jungle raj” debate has once again become the focal point of political discourse, with NDA leaders presenting themselves as defenders of stability and order against what they call the chaos of the past.
