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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday emphasised that the era of “katta” and “laltane” was over in Bihar, and the state was ready to produce missiles and cannons to play a formidable role in the nation’s security and defence. Addressing a rally in Ramgarh Assembly constituency, Singh said, “I want to tell RJD people that ab katta nahin, tope banegi… missile banengi (Instead of country-made guns, Bihar will produce cannons and missiles).” The Defence Minister described the NDA manifesto as “Atal Pratigya” (firm resolve) and said the era of country-made guns and lanterns (laltane) was over in Bihar. He also announced plans to open a defence corridor in Bihar. “We will not make a false promise that we will give government jobs to every household in Bihar. It is not possible financially. We have promised to create job opportunities, and for this, we have announced to set up MSME corridors and a defence corridor in Bihar,” he said. In another rally in Karakat, Singh accused the Congress of trying to divide the country in the name of caste and religion and resorting to appeasement to gain votes. He said the BJP has never indulged in politics of religion, but only of justice and humanity. “Wherever Rahul Gandhi goes, he says that the Election Commission has stolen the votes of the people of Bihar. I want to ask him, is it necessary to lie to achieve political success? If one wants to do meaningful politics, one will have to do politics that builds the nation,” he said. PM Modi Attacks Oppn Over ‘Katta Sarkar’ This came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Mahagathbandhan alliance at a rally in Bihar’s Sitamarhi, saying the state doesn’t want a gun-wielding government, in a reference towards the RJD. “Nahi chahiye katta sarkaar, fir ek baar NDA sarkaar” (We don’t want a gun-wielding government; once again we want an NDA government),” he said, once again putting the spotlight on Bihar’s ‘jungle rule’ under former CM Lalu Prasad Yadav. “These RJD and Congress folks don’t even know the ABCD of industries,” PM Modi said, criticising the opposition for their poor record on economic progress. “In 15 years of jungle raj, not a single big hospital or medical college was built in Bihar.” The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections were held on November 6, concluding with a massive and historic voter turnout of 64.66%. This figure not only surpassed the previous assembly election record set in 2000 (62.57%) but also eclipsed the highest-ever Lok Sabha polling percentage recorded in the state (64.6% in 1998). The voting was held on 121 seats spread across 18 districts, and a total of 3.75 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase of polls. The second phase of assembly polls will be held on November 11, and the votes will be counted on November 14. (with inputs from agencies)
