Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday formally launched the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) campaign for the Bihar Assembly Elections, declaring Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the bloc’s face and vowing a landslide win. Addressing a packed rally in Samastipur, the Prime Minister invoked Kumar’s ‘Sushasan Babu’ image, asserting that the state’s people were ready to vote once again for “good governance and development.”

“Entire Bihar is saying, ‘Phir ek baar NDA sarkar, phir ek baar sushasan sarkar!’” Modi thundered, marking the first time he has explicitly aligned himself with Nitish Kumar in this election cycle. However, he stopped short of confirming whether Kumar—Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister—would retain the top post if the NDA secures victory.

The statement came a day after the opposition INDIA bloc, led by the RJD and Congress, threw a direct challenge at the NDA by naming Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate. Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot dared the BJP to name its own leader, stating, “Our face is Tejashwi Yadav; now they must clarify who theirs is.” Yadav, who has twice served as Nitish’s deputy, also took a swipe at the NDA’s ambiguity, claiming it signalled “Nitish Kumar’s fading political relevance.”

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The Prime Minister, meanwhile, used the stage to list the NDA government’s development record in Bihar. Citing progress in infrastructure, industry, and employment, Modi said, “There is not a single corner in Bihar where the BJP isn’t carrying out development work. The state is now an attractive investment destination—proof that ‘jungle raj’ is gone and vikas raj has arrived.” The remarks doubled as a pointed jab at Lalu Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which has long faced criticism over its governance record.

Bihar heads to polls in two phases—on November 6 and 11—with results scheduled for November 14. As the campaign gains momentum, Modi’s endorsement of Nitish Kumar signals a clear effort to project unity within the NDA, even as speculation continues over the future leadership of the coalition should it return to power.

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