Amit Shah Warns Bihar Voters Against Opposition in Election Rally

Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a stark warning to voters in Bihar during a rally in Jamui on Friday, suggesting that the opposition coalition, known as the Mahagathbandhan, would establish an 'Apaharan' (kidnapping) department if elected. He contrasted this with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), promising that a victory for the NDA would lead to the creation of a department aimed at making Bihar flood-free.

Amit Shah targeted prominent figures of the opposition, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav, who is the chief ministerial candidate for the Mahagathbandhan. He stated, "If you make even the slightest mistake and deviate even a little from the Lotus or the Arrow, then 'jungle raj' will return once again. Does Jamui want 'jungle raj'?" The Lotus symbol represents the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while the Arrow symbol is associated with the Janata Dal (United), led by current Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The constituency of Jamui is scheduled to vote in the second and final phase of the Bihar assembly elections on November 11, which includes four assembly seats. Shah urged voters to support the NDA across all four seats.

Highlighting the improvements in security in the region, he noted that Jamui, once a stronghold for Naxalite insurgents, is now safer for polling. He recounted a historical incident where around 150 Naxals hijacked the Dhanbad–Patna Express, resulting in three fatalities.

He stated, "It is due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts that the region is now Naxal-free. Earlier, people could vote only till 3 pm, but now they can vote till 5 pm."

In reference to the first phase of voting, which occurred on Thursday across 121 of Bihar’s 243 constituencies, Amit Shah claimed that the Mahagathbandhan had been effectively 'wiped out.' The Election Commission reported a preliminary voter turnout of 64.46 per cent for this phase, marking a new record for the state.

Vote counting for both phases of the election is set to take place on November 14, amid heightened political activity and public interest in the electoral outcome.