PM Modi in Bihar: People want NDA's 'startup' vision, not Opposition's 'hands up' order

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing another round of election rallies in Bihar on Saturday, sharpening his attack on the opposition alliance led by the RJD and the Congress.

Stepping up his ‘jingle raj’ jibe at the grand alliance, Modi said people in Bihar fear that the RJD and the Congress, if voted to power, will put a ‘katta’ (country-made firearm) to their heads and ask them to hold their hands up.

“I shudder to hear that the RJD, in its campaign, is getting children to say that upon growing up, they wish to become 'rangdaar' (street bully). Bihar definitely does not want a government which has 'katta', 'kushasan' (misgovernance), 'kroorta' (cruelty) and corruption to offer,” the prime minister said, addressing a rally at Sitamarhi district.

The second phase of polling in Bihar will be held on November 11, with the counting set to take place on November 14. In the first phase, voting will be held in 121 constituencies across 18 districts.

Modi reiterated that the people of Bihar wanted the return of the NDA regime.

“This is because the people do not want a regime that would put a 'katta' on their heads and ask them to hold their hands up. People do not want hands up, but start up, which the NDA will facilitate. The NDA shuns 'katta' and promotes school bags, computers, cricket bats and hockey sticks,” he said.

Modi lauded voters over the high turnout in the first phase. As per the Election Commission data, 65.08 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in the first phase on Thursday.

“You have given a big shock (zor ka jhatka) to the opposition. They are getting sleepless nights,” Modi said, alluding to his claims that the high turnout was indicative of an overwhelming support of the NDA.