Bihar polls: Either vote for BJP or return of jungle raj, says Amit Shah

Patna: Claiming that Nitish Kumar-Lalu Prasad alliance cannot restore Bihar's lost glory, BJP chief Amit Shah on Tuesday said people of the state had the choice of either voting for the party for all round development or the secular alliance for the return of 'jungle raj'.

"You can either vote for bringing back Lalu Prasad's jungle raj with Nitish Kumar as its mask or vote for Narendra Modi-led BJP to restore Bihar's glory. There is no third option left," Shah told a gathering of intellectuals here.

Claiming that only BJP can put Bihar on the path of development, he said Kumar and Prasad cannot bring back the state's lost glory.

The 'Budhijivi Sammelan' (intellectuals conference) was organised by BJP to apprise them of its agenda and viewpoints.

Shah was accompanied by Union ministers Ananth Kumar, Suresh Prabhu, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Bihar in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP M J Akbar and others.

Referring to the state's history, Shah said Bihar had ruled the country for over 600 years, gave the first republic to the world and was a place of learning and education.

"But now where Bihar has reached ?" he asked.

Coming down heavily on Kumar, the BJP national president said, "Nitish Kumar for most of part of his political journey, fought against Lalu Prasad's jungle raj. He fought to end Prasad's jungle raj but is now saying that he never called the RJD regime so. But people know what Kumar used to say."

On Kumar's 'outsider' barb, he said "A Bihari will become the chief minister but it will be BJP's Bihari CM as there is no place for him (Kumar) to become the CM again."

Describing Kumar as an "arrogant" leader, Shah said he cannot implement the Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package for Bihar announced by the Prime Minister.

"If it (package) has to be implemented, people have to strengthen Narendra Modi's hand," he said.

BJP general secretary and Bihar in-charge Bhupendra Yadav hit out at Lalu Prasad for his poll speeches and utterances.

"Since the announcement of the poll schedule, Prasad has just used absurd language as he has no agenda and subjects to talk on," he said and questioning the RJD chief's decision to field his two sons in the assembly elections. "Prasad could have accommodated other persons from his community."

Party's national spokesman, M J Akbar appealed to Muslims not to become victims of propaganda (of other parties).

"Muslims should vote keeping in mind their future," Akbar said.

Training his guns at Prasad, he questioned why there is no cricket team of Bihar. "Just ask who is the king of Bihar's cricket and you will know the reason.