"Time for Bihar 3.0, will make Bihar an industrial hub": Amit Shah

New Delhi [India], October 17 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday sounded the bugle for the high-stakes Bihar assembly elections and announced that if the NDA returns to power in Bihar, it will transform the state into an "industrial hub."
Shah, earlier in the day, addressed a public rally in Saran district, which was followed by his address at the Intellectuals Conference held in Gyan Bhawan in Patna. Before that, he also met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his residence.
Addressing the Intellectuals Conference in Bihar's Patna, Shah affirmed that the youth of Bihar have the highest intelligence in the whole world, and now it's time for Bihar 3.0.
"Now it's time for Bihar 3.0... We will make Bihar an industrial hub... Youth of Bihar have the highest intelligence in the whole world. Bihar may have a shortage of land, but we can introduce projects that require more mental work and less land," Shah said in Patna.
Shah also launched a sharp attack on RJD supremo and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav, saying that the 15-year 'jungle raj' of Lalu-Rabri pushed Bihar back by almost half a century, adding that the state lost its dignity, splendour, and excellence during the same time.
Shah, in a veiled attack on Tejashwi Yadav, said the same "jungle-raj" is before the people of Bihar today, with new faces and asking for votes.
The Union Minister stated, "What era was that, in which Bihar became a sick state. In the 15 years of jungle rule alone, Bihar lost its pride, wealth, and knowledge. During the 15 years of jungle raj, Bihar had lost all its dignity, splendour, and excellence of every kind. Imagine how those 15 years must have been... The period in which Bihar's reputation declined..."
He further alleged that the industries set up in Bihar after independence left the state due to "Lalu Yadav's jungle-raj.
The Union Minister said, "When he (Lalu Yadav) came out of jail in a corruption case and a procession was taken out on an elephant, we could not understand this kind of shamelessness... The industries that were established in Bihar at the time of independence gradually started leaving Bihar... That 15-year rule pushed Bihar back by almost half a century. The same 'jungle raj' is in front of the people of Bihar today with new faces."
In his public rally in Saran's Taraiya, Shah reminded the youth of Bihar about former CM Lalu Yadav's jungle raj and pointed out how Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has gotten rid of it in the last 20 years.
"When you start campaigning from Saran, we only see victory. There is no better place than Chhapra, Saran, to remind the youth of Bihar about that jungle raj of Lalu and Rabri and take a pledge to fight against it," he said."
"Nitish Kumar has freed Bihar from Jungle Raj. PM Modi, over the last 11 years, has worked to develop Bihar. PM Modi's 11 years have been a blessing to the poor," he added.
Amit Shah also reiterated that the NDA is fighting the Bihar election under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.
The Union Home Minister further said that Bihar's people will get to celebrate four Diwalis this year.
"We are fighting under the leadership of Nitish Kumar in Bihar. This time, the people of Bihar have the opportunity to celebrate Diwali four times in a row. The first one is the one that comes on the occasion of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya. The second one has just finished. Nitish Ji and Modi ji have given Rs 10,000 to women in Bihar. Third Diwali is the reduction of GST on 395 products to 5 per cent and 0 per cent. The fourth Diwali will be celebrated when NDA will come with the biggest majority, sweeping away Lalu, Rahul and company," he said.
Shah came down heavily on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for fielding the son of late Shahabuddin, a convicted criminal, in the Bihar assembly elections.
Shah exhorted that the Modi-Nitish couplet needs to be brought back to power to keep Bihar safe.
Shah said, "I have seen RJD 's candidates' list, and it contains the name of Shahabuddin's son. Can Bihar remain safe if RJD gives the election ticket to Shahabuddin's son? If we have to keep Bihar safe, we need to bring back the jodi of Modi-Nitish."
The RJD has fielded Shahabuddin's son, Osama Shahab, from the Raghunathpur assembly constituency of Siwan for the upcoming polls.
Today was the final day of nominations for the first phase of polls to the 243-member state legislature.
While the NDA has decided on seat distribution among its constituents and released a list of all their candidates for the two-phased Bihar polls, the Mahagathbandhan is yet to declare its final seat-sharing arrangements even as the nominations for the first phase have ended.
In the Mahagathbandhan, only Congress has released its list of 48 candidates.
The polling for the 243-seat Assembly is scheduled to be held on November 6 and November 11, with counting set for November 14. (ANI)