Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, accusing him of corruption and misgovernance during his tenure as Bihar Chief Minister. Addressing a rally in Gopalganj, Shah alleged that Lalu and his party had obstructed the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and criticised him for prioritising his family’s welfare over the state’s development.
“Many years we waited for the construction of Lord Ram’s temple in Ayodhya, but Lalu and his associates created numerous hurdles. However, after 550 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured Lord Ram was enshrined in a grand temple,” Shah said.
Shah also spoke about the BJP’s plans to promote Bihar’s cultural heritage, stating, “Now it is time for a grand temple dedicated to Goddess Sita in Bihar. This temple will attract the world and spread the message of women’s power from Bihar.”
‘Those Who Ate Fodder Can’t Think Of Welfare’: Amit Shah Slams Lalu Yadav, ‘Jungle Raj’ Under RJD In Bihar
Shah also took aim at Lalu’s tenure, accusing him of involvement in multiple scams. “Those who ate up fodder meant for cattle cannot think about the welfare of Bihar’s people,” he said, referring to the fodder scam. The scam, which involved fraudulent withdrawals of crores of rupees from treasuries in Doranda, Deoghar, Dumka, and Chaibasa, was exposed in the 1990s when Jharkhand was still part of Bihar. Lalu was convicted in the case.
He further alleged, “Lalu Prasad was involved in the bitumen scam, the flood relief material supply scam, and the ‘Charwaha Vidyalaya’ (school for cattle grazers) scam.”
Earlier in the day, speaking in Patna, Shah dubbed Lalu’s 1990-2005 tenure as an era of “Jungle Raj”. “What did Lalu Yadav’s government do in Bihar from 1990 to 2005? His government defamed Bihar by executing the fodder scam across the state. In history, his tenure will always be known as ‘Jungle Raj’,” Shah said.
Contrasting the previous administration with the governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shah asserted that the NDA governments had ushered in a new era of development in Bihar.
“Since the BJP and NDA government came to power in Bihar, development has begun here. Whenever Modi Ji came to seek votes for the BJP, the people of Bihar filled his bag with lotus flowers (votes),” he said.
Highlighting the NDA’s achievements, Shah remarked, “During Nitish Kumar’s tenure, roads, electricity, and tap water have reached every village. Today, PM Modi has taken Bihar’s poor forward by providing houses, toilets, water, medicines, and ration.”
The Home Minister also detailed BJP’s agricultural initiatives, particularly efforts to strengthen Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). “We have established a maize processing centre and revived it with an investment of ₹1,000 crore to support maize farmers,” he said.
He further noted the BJP’s commitment to reviving sugar mills and enhancing production in the pulses and oilseeds sectors. “We are making full efforts to restart closed sugar mills. We have also done extensive work in the pulses and oilseeds sectors. Today, all PACS presidents are present here. PACS are now opening pharmacy stores and petrol pumps as well,” Shah added.
His visit to Bihar comes ahead of the state assembly elections, scheduled to take place later this year. As part of his two-day tour, he also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects. Upon his arrival on Saturday, he held a meeting with local leaders.