Union minister Amit Shah today launched the BJP campaign for Bihar online, with a detailed recap of the Narendra Modi government’s performance over the last six years — from surgical strikes to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He, however, claimed that the virtual address — made necessary by the constraints of the coronavirus and the resulting lockdown — had “nothing to do Bihar polls”.
“This is to encourage everyone and assure corona warriors. Those who want to see politics in this – I want to ask – who stopped you from holding a rally? All you are doing is chilling out sitting in Delhi,” he said in remarks directed at the Congress.
The former BJP chief, however, made it clear that the BJP will contest the election — due in October-November — under the leadership of ally Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and reminded the people that “When PM Modi came with his jholi (bag) asking for votes, you have filled his jholi and given him a majority mandate”.
The bulk of Mr Shah’s message was directed at the migrant workers. Both the Centre and the Nitish Kumar government have come under harsh criticism over the plight of the migrant workers, the biggest chunk of whom are from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
“Leaders are trying to hoodwink the janta (people) of Bihar. But you should distance yourself from these talks, especially migrant workers. Remember, the whole country appreciates you. When you look at the foundations of the developed states, you will find the mehek (flavour) of Bihar in their foundations,” Mr Shah said.
Highlighting the government’s measures for the migrants, Mr Shah said, “Almost 1.25 crore people were taken home by PM Modi. People were walking, when we found about it, we ran buses to take them to the stations and ran trains. We arranged, food, medical help, buses for the migrant workers”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said all migrants be put in camps in the states, he said. “He asked states to ensure food for them. Then he began trains for the migrant workers”. The government, he said, even bore 85 per cent of the cost of the train journey.
