Kidnapping, extortion were Bihar’s only industry under Lalu, says Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday intensified his attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), asserting that only one “industry” thrived in Bihar during the tenure of party founder Lalu Prasad Yadav was that of “kidnapping, extortion, contract killings and dacoity”.

“All industrial units were shut down in the state under RJD rule,” Shah said while addressing a public rally in Biharsharif in Nalanda district.

He suggested that elections in Bihar could be held in a single phase if the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returned to power after the forthcoming Assembly elections scheduled for next month.

Shah said the NDA’s record of good governance had already led to a reduction in the number of polling phases in Bihar. “Next time, elections will be held in just one round if we return to power,” he told the gathering.

Lauding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shah said that under his leadership, the NDA had liberated the state from ‘jungle raj’ (lawlessness) and from the menace of Naxalism. “Our government at the Centre is determined to free the entire country from the Naxal menace,” Shah asserted.

Later, addressing another rally in Munger, Shah compared the NDA alliance to the Pandavas, saying the partners would contest the elections with unity and shared purpose.

“NDA partners will fight the election united like the Pandavas — five political parties coming together as one. On the other side, the opposition has neither leadership nor direction,” he said.

“This election is not about making someone an MLA, minister, or chief minister; it is about ensuring that ‘jungle raj’ does not return to Bihar,” Shah added.

The Union Home Minister also highlighted the BJP government’s religious and cultural initiatives, noting that while the Ram temple had already been constructed in Ayodhya, work had commenced on a grand Sita temple at Punauradham in Sitamarhi district.

“The Sita temple will be built at a cost of Rs 800 crore,” Shah said.