Bihar's Reckoning: Modi Campaigns on Development, Attacks 'Zero Growth' Past

The political dust is really flying in Bihar, isn't it? Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ever the astute campaigner, has been crisscrossing the state, bringing his formidable presence to rallies in places like Araria, Munger, and Bettiah. And, honestly, his message is clear, sharp, and cuts right to the chase: he's putting the Mahagathbandhan, particularly the RJD-Congress alliance, squarely in the dock for what he terms Bihar's 'zero development era' between 1990 and 2005.

It was, he passionately argued, a period when, in his words, 'kidnapping had become an industry'—a stark, almost brutal reminder of the 'jungle raj' that many still recall with a shiver. He didn't just mention it in passing; he hammered the point home, implying that this was a time of stagnation, a lost decade and a half where progress simply wasn't on the agenda. You could almost feel the collective memory in the crowd as he spoke, painting a vivid, if grim, picture of those years.

But, of course, a political speech isn't just about looking back, is it? It's fundamentally about looking forward, about painting a more hopeful vision. And that's precisely what PM Modi did. He contrasted that 'zero development' past with the current National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government's track record, promising, yes, even faster development. He spoke of generating employment opportunities, building modern infrastructure that Bihar desperately needs, and ushering in an era of robust economic growth.

He didn't shy away from broader political swipes either. The Congress party's manifesto, for instance, came under heavy fire, dismissed as a 'bundle of lies' and criticized for being utterly disconnected from the ground realities of India. It's a familiar tactic, to be sure, but one that resonates with many. And then there was the pointed jab at the RJD's leadership, specifically Tejashwi Yadav. Here's a leader, Modi seemed to suggest, claiming to have performed wonders, yet seemingly forgetting the very real legacy, for better or worse, of his own father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and his tenure.

In truth, what we're seeing in Bihar is more than just a political campaign; it's a battle over narrative, a fight to define the state's past and, crucially, to chart its future. Modi's message, steeped in accusations of dynastic politics fearing a loss of power, is a powerful one designed to resonate. It asks voters to weigh the promises of today against the perceived failures of yesterday, urging them to choose a path of accelerated progress. And in Bihar, where history often casts a long shadow, such arguments, delivered with conviction, carry significant weight.