"Like Water And Oil": PM Says Rift Between Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav's Parties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has alleged a rift between the Congress and RJD, two allies fighting together in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, as he tore into the Mahagathbandhan barely a week before the voting. He also hit out at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav over lewd remarks used against him at their rallies in Bihar. Gandhi and Yadav think it's their birthright to abuse me, the prime minister said at a rally in Muzaffarpur.

PM Modi claimed that he had reports coming in from across the state about fights between the leaders of Congress and RJD. Drawing a "water and oil" analogy to point out how different the two parties were, the PM said that they have come together to "grab power at any cost so that they can loot Bihar."

Their rallies are nothing but a "sham," he added.

Confident that Bihar will bless the NDA with another term, the PM reiterated that it is the BJP's priority to ensure progress and spread Bihar's culture across borders.

"The RJD and the Congress can never make Bihar developed. These parties ruled Bihar for decades, but all they gave the people was betrayal and false promises," he ripped into the opposition parties.

The PM said the RJD and Congress's actions can be identified by five things that are testimonies of their misrule: "Katta (country-made pistols), kroorta (cruelty), katuta (social resentment), kushasan (misgovernance), and corruption." "Where there is katta, where cruelty reigns, there the law breaks down," he added.

Recounting the time RJD was in power nearly two decades ago, an era often referred to as 'jungle raj' in political parlance, the PM claimed that around 35,000 kidnappings took place during the RJD regime in Bihar. On the other hand, the NDA wants to preserve and honour cultural heritage and ensure all-round development of all states, including Bihar, said the prime minister.

PM On Chhath 'Drama' Remark

Congress and the RJD leaders have insulted 'Chhathi Maiya' for votes, asserted PM Modi, evoking the local sentiments days after Gandhi alleged that PM was doing "drama" over Chhath Puja, the most widely celebrated festival in Bihar, during which prayers are offered to the Hindu goddess Chhathi Maata, or 'Maiya' in the local dialect.

"Your son is busy praising Chhathi Maiya before the world. Congress and RJD leaders are insulting Chhathi Maiya. Can anyone ever insult Chhathi Maiya to get votes in an election? Will Bihar tolerate such an insult? Will my mothers, those who observe fast without water, tolerate this?" asked PM Modi.

The crowd thundered "no" in unison.

"How shamelessly are the RJD and Congress speaking? For them, worshipping Chhathi Maiya is just a drama, a farce?" asked the prime minister, adding that such an insult would remain in public memory for centuries. "Bihar is the land of self-respect. Bihar will never forgive those who have insulted Chhath Puja."

The central government is trying to secure the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the Chhath festival, the PM informed.