Muzaffarpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accused Congress and RJD leaders of “insulting Chhathi Maiyya” for political gain in the Bihar elections, saying the people of the state “will never forgive them for centuries.”
His remarks came a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the PM had staged a “drama” by planning to take a dip in the Yamuna on Chhath Puja, claiming the spot was later found to be an artificial puddle filled with clean water since the river was too polluted.
Addressing an election rally in Muzaffarpur, a day after Gandhi held one in the same town, Modi said, “This is my first visit to Bihar after Chhath Puja, a festival now recognised globally. Chhath stands for devotion and equality, which is why my government is working to secure a UNESCO heritage tag for it.”
He added, “I often listen to Chhath songs while travelling. Once, I was deeply moved by one sung by a girl from Nagaland. But while your son works to bring global recognition to Chhath, the Congress-RJD leaders mock it, calling it a ‘drama’ and a ‘nautanki’.”
Condemning Gandhi’s remarks, Modi said, “Look how low they can stoop for votes. This insult to Chhath is something Bihar will never forget.”
The PM further alleged that the Congress-RJD alliance was driven solely by greed for power. “Their relationship is like water and oil — unnatural. They’ve come together not to serve Bihar but to loot it,” he said, claiming that internal rifts within the alliance were evident.
Calling his rivals “naamdars” (dynasts), Modi said, “They cannot accept that someone from a backward class, who once sold tea, has reached this position. My success is not due to their blessings, but the faith of the people and the Constitution written by Babasaheb Ambedkar — whom they themselves insulted.”
He asserted that recent surveys indicate a “massive victory” for the NDA and a “historic defeat” for the RJD-Congress combine, accusing them of making “false promises” out of desperation.
Modi also said the alliance represented five “Ks” — katta (lawlessness), kroorta (cruelty), katuta (social hatred), kushasan (misgovernance), and corruption. He expressed concern over songs played at RJD rallies, claiming they glorified guns, daggers, and kidnappings.
He reminded the crowd that “35,000–40,000 abductions” took place during the RJD’s rule and “goons looted vehicle showrooms,” contrasting it with the NDA’s commitment to development and cultural pride.
Beginning his speech with chants of “Phir ek baar NDA sarkar” and “Phir ek baar susashan sarkar,” Modi urged the crowd to reject those who “looted the railways” and questioned their ability to improve connectivity.
Injecting a local touch, he spoke in the Vajjika dialect and praised Muzaffarpur for its “sweet speech,” famous “Shahi litchi,” and illustrious figures like Khudiram Bose and writers Ram Vriksh Benipuri and Janaki Vallabh Shastri.
He also referred to the “land-for-jobs” scam involving RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav, and mentioned the 2001 “Golu murder case,” recalling the public outrage that followed the kidnapping and killing of an eight-year-old boy in the town.
