1 2 Patna: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday sounded the bugle for assembly polls in the state, due later this year, urging the people to vote for the BJP's ‘lotus' symbol and ensure the return of the NDA govt in the state. Addressing a rally in Gopalganj, the home district of RJD president Lalu Prasad and former CM Rabri Devi, Shah did not hold back in his criticism of Lalu and his family. He dedicated almost equal time to attacking Lalu's legacy and highlighting the achievements of the Modi govt at the Centre.
Taking a sharp dig at the RJD's 15-year rule, Shah said Bihar had been plagued by lawlessness, citing frequent incidents of extortion, criminal dominance, dacoities, kidnappings and ransom demands. "Multiple scams took place during the Lalu-Rabri regime, including the bitumen scam, flood relief scam, railway hotel scam, soil scam and the fodder scam," Shah said. He then asked the audience, "Does Bihar want to move forward on the path of development under PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar, or revert to the ‘jungle raj' of the Lalu-Rabri era?" Challenging Lalu's long-standing image as a "messiah of the downtrodden", Shah said, "One who eats up fodder meant for cattle can do nothing for the poor.
" Continuing his attack on the RJD chief, the home minister accused Lalu of prioritising his family's political dominance over the state's welfare. "Both of Lalu's sons are vying for the CM's position, one daughter is an MP, another has contested the Lok Sabha elections and R.
