In a charged political atmosphere ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a public rally in Gopalganj on Sunday, launched a scathing attack on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, accusing him of plunging the state into chaos during his tenure from 1990 to 2005.
Shah, who arrived in Patna on Saturday, also held a meeting with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders at the Chief Minister’s residence.
Speaking to a large crowd, Shah alleged that the Lalu-Rabri regime was synonymous with “jungle raj,” marked by lawlessness, murders, abductions, and the infamous fodder scam.
“Lalu Prasad did nothing for Bihar’s rural economy or development. Several sugar mills shut down, and the state suffered under his misrule,” Shah claimed, asserting that people reject the return of such disorder. He predicted a landslide victory for the NDA in the upcoming elections.
The Home Minister contrasted this with the BJP-led NDA’s efforts, claiming that while the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre allocated only ₹2.80 lakh crore to Bihar, the NDA provided ₹9.23 lakh crore, focusing on the state’s overall growth.
RJD leaders hit back fiercely. Shakti Singh Yadav, an RJD leader, accused Shah of hypocrisy, labelling him the “hero of Gujarat’s jungle raj and atank raj.” He pointed to the alleged deterioration in law and order under the BJP-JD(U) government in Bihar over the past two decades, citing rising crime rates.
Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, dismissed Shah’s claims, questioning the tangible benefits of the alleged financial aid. “Big promises are made during elections, but they vanish post-polls. If Modi has given money, specify the sectors and show the work done in 20 years,” he challenged.
RJD MP Misa Bharti defended Lalu Prasad, highlighting his contributions as Railway Minister, including setting up three factories and establishing six universities in Bihar during his and Rabri Devi’s tenure.
The verbal duel escalated as Shah accused RJD supremo Prasad of involvement in multiple scams, including the fodder, bitumen, and flood relief material scams, alleging that those who “ate up fodder” could not prioritize public welfare.
The fodder scam, exposed in the 1990s when Jharkhand was part of Bihar, saw crores fraudulently withdrawn from state treasuries, with Lalu Prasad among those convicted.