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Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah addressed the Intellectuals’ Meet in Patna, Bihar, on Friday. During the meet, Shri Shah reminded the audience of the “Jungle Raj” during Lalu Yadav’s rule in Bihar, saying that a state with a rich heritage was pushed centuries back by Lalu’s misrule. Shri Shah highlighted the development works carried out in Bihar under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar. During the event, Bihar BJP State President Shri Dilip Jaiswal, senior BJP leaders, MPs, former Union Minister Shri Ravishankar, and other leaders were present on the stage.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah said that the land of Bihar has been the birthplace and workplace of great personalities like Mahatma Buddha, Chandragupta Maurya, Chanakya, Aryabhata, Emperor Ashoka, and Samudragupta. This is the same land from where eminent figures like Babu Jagjivan Ram, Jayaprakash Narayan, and Shri Krishna Babu emerged, who gave direction to India’s history. From this very land, the governance of the entire country continued for nearly 750 years. The stream of consciousness that flowed from here reached from Afghanistan to Lanka and from Saurashtra to Bengal. It was on this land that the Nalanda University was established as a globally renowned center of knowledge of its time, where people from all over the world came to study various disciplines. The administrative system of this land also provided financial support for four centuries to the world-famous Takshashila University, which extended up to Afghanistan. This was the very land from which significant works were produced in the fields of astronomy, geography, mathematics, Ayurveda, and many other branches of knowledge.
Union Home Minister stated that Bihar played a very significant role in the freedom movement. Whether it was the Champaran’s Satyagraha or freedom fighters like Rajendra Prasad, Babu Jagjivan Ram, and Jayaprakash Narayan, all emerged from this land and gave a decisive turn to India’s struggle for independence. After independence, when Indira Gandhi’s lust for power imposed an Emergency and attempted to crush democracy, it was from this very land of Bihar that Jayaprakash Narayan led the fight to protect democracy and emerged victorious. From independence to several decades thereafter, Bihar made remarkable contributions to the political, social, and historical life of the nation. We must reflect on what happened to this glorious land of Bihar, the state that once gave the country the President of the Constituent Assembly, the pioneer of social justice Babu Jagjivan Ram, and the leader who defended democracy, but gradually came to be called a ‘sick’ state. Even today, when talent is assessed across the country and the world, it is universally acknowledged that the intelligence of the youth of Bihar is among the finest not only in India but globally. By the grace of Maa Ganga, Bihar’s soil is fertile, water is available just fifty feet below, its people are hardworking, and in intelligence too, Bihar is second to none.
Shri Amit Shah asked, what exactly happened that Bihar was reduced to a “sick state”? Those who wish to restore Bihar to its former glory and prestige must reflect on this question. Which period was it when Bihar’s reputation declined and this glorious land came to be recognized as a backward state? One need not look too far the 15 years of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s “jungle raj” snatched away Bihar’s pride, prosperity, and learning. This Bihar, which has a historical legacy dating back to the Mahabharata era, lost all its dignity, grandeur, and excellence during just those 15 years of jungle raj. The youth sitting here should ask their elders what kind of governance was given by the Lalu-Rabri duo at that time. After being jailed in corruption cases, when bail was granted, some returned in processions riding on elephants. Such shamelessness has never been seen in our lifetime.
Shri Shah stated that during those 15 years, Bihar lagged behind in every respect administrative structure, national contribution, and opportunities. The major industries and factories that existed in Bihar at the time of Independence gradually left the state. Traders migrated, business collapsed, and Bihar sank into disorder. That 15-year rule pushed Bihar back by nearly half a century. Today, the same “jungle raj,” dressed in new clothes, with new faces and a new facade, is once again seeking a mandate from the people of Bihar. When the Lalu-Rahul company was in power, elections in Bihar had to be conducted in six phases because the security situation was so weak that polling across the state could not happen in one go. But today, as Bihar has become safe, elections are being conducted in just two phases. Earlier, in many districts of Bihar, polling used to end two hours early till 5 PM in Patna and 3 PM in Naxal-affected areas. But now the situation has completely changed. For the first time in years, elections are being held across Bihar till 5 PM because Naxalism has been eliminated. There is no longer any Naxalite influence in any police station of Bihar. All this has been made possible due to Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar’s 20 years of governance and 11 years of double-engine government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar who together have gradually restored Bihar’s lost glory.
Union Home Minister stated that Bihar is now ready to move forward. Today, Bihar is prepared to reclaim its historic position in the nation’s politics, economy, education, and agriculture. BJP firmly believes that Bihar can achieve this because every Indian product reflects the hard work and sweat of Bihari labourers. The state is blessed with hardworking people, abundant water resources, fertile land, and unmatched intelligence. Bihar has always needed good governance, and over the past 20 years, Shri Nitish Kumar has provided exactly that. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar, the double-engine government has, in 11 years, successfully eradicated all the evils of Lalu’s 15-year jungle raj. Over the last 20 years, Shri Nitish Kumar and the NDA government have worked to fill the deep pit left by the 15 years of jungle raj under Lalu Prasad Yadav. Now, the period from the 21st to the 25th year marks the phase of building Bihar’s growth story and transforming it into a developed state. This phase is crucial for Bihar. Just as the people once gave a mandate to remove Lalu, the time has now come once again to give a mandate to stop him, because Bihar is determined to advance rapidly. The responsibility to ensure that Bihar’s progress remains uninterrupted, he said, lies particularly with the state’s intellectual class.
Shri Shah emphasized that his visit was not merely to seek votes but to urge Bihar’s intellectual class to guide public opinion, show the right path to the youth, mothers, sisters, and common citizens, and contribute to strengthening democratic values. In Bihar 1.0, Shri Nitish Kumar had laid the foundation of good governance, earning the title “Sushasan Babu.” This phase marked three major achievements: liberation from jungle raj, restoration of law and order, elimination of corruption, and the introduction of 50 percent reservation for women. This foundation was regarded as the greatest accomplishment of Bihar 1.0. Bihar 2.0 began with the establishment of the double-engine government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar. During this phase, extensive infrastructure development took place across the state. Several new bridges were constructed over the Ganga River, an achievement once considered unimaginable. Power cuts, once common, have now become a thing of the past. Union Home Minister recalled how, in his youth, people in Bihar’s villages had to visit small generator or inverter shops to charge their mobile phones due to a lack of electricity. In Bihar 2.0, major projects such as the expansion of the Barauni Refinery, establishment of a dry port in Bihta, IIM in Bodh Gaya, IIIT in Bhagalpur, AIIMS in Darbhanga, and construction of four new airports have been completed. Thousands of kilometers of roads have also been built, significantly improving Patna’s connectivity within hours. Collectively, these developments have given a new direction to Bihar’s progress and growth.
Shri Amit Shah stated that Bihar is now poised for Bihar 3.0. If the people prevent the return of jungle raj, the state, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, will be transformed into an industrialized, employment-focused, and technologically advanced region. Addressing employment as Bihar’s biggest challenge, the NDA government plans to attract major investments, startups, data centers, and software companies. While land may be limited, the intellect and hard work of Bihari youth are unparalleled, making the state ideal for knowledge- and technology-driven investments.
Shri Shah asserted that such transformation cannot be achieved by Lalu Yadav or Rahul Gandhi; only Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji possesses the vision to propel Bihar forward. The NDA government aims to make Bihar industrially strong and employment-oriented, providing youth with skill development and job opportunities within the state. Emphasizing Bihar’s historic legacy as the land of Nalanda, where the tradition of learning that reached Takshashila began, Bihar 3.0 focuses on delivering quality education directly linked to employment. The NDA government plans to make Bihar AI-enabled: educational institutions will integrate modern technologies, expand seats, and train youth in AI-based skills, positioning the state as a leader in the technological revolution. Data centers will be established alongside the revival of Bihar’s ancient heritage. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has revitalized Nalanda, and the vision is to attract students from around the world once again to this historic center of learning. Shri Shah emphasized that this goal is achievable with determination and capability, qualities he asserted exist only with the NDA government.
Shri Shah stated that Bihar must now enter a new era, one in which challenges like migration, poverty, and floods become a part of history. The NDA government is committed to creating a migration-free and flood-free Bihar. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, in the latest budget, announced measures for the flood management of the Koshi and other rivers originating from Nepal. Once implemented, these measures are expected to prevent the annual destruction worth thousands of crores caused by floods, while the waters of the Koshi will also irrigate previously dry fields. Shri Shah warned that Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi aim to bring back jungle raj under new faces and appearances, but the people of Bihar will not allow it. He assured that the NDA government is fully prepared to prevent any return of jungle raj. Bihar 3.0 is envisioned as a phase where opportunities reach every household and development benefits every family, advancing not only Bihar but the entire Eastern India and Purvanchal region. Under this vision, Bihar is set to once again become India’s growth engine.
Shri Shah emphasized that the people of Bihar should base their decisions not on newspaper headlines but on ground realities observing, feeling, and evaluating the changes of the past 11 years. The work under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji stands as a clear example. He highlighted that while Manmohan Singh’s government left India’s economy at the 11th position globally, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji elevated it to the 4th position. Today, India is the fastest-growing economy in the world, with inflation at its lowest in the past four decades.
Union Home Minister said that Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has strengthened the country economically, increased investment, accelerated production, and earned global respect for India. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has acted decisively not only on the economic front but also on national security. By abrogating Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, he strengthened the idea of India. In response to terrorist attacks like Uri, Pulwama, and Pahalgam, surgical strikes, air strikes, and Operation Sindoor sent a clear message to Pakistan that India will no longer remain silent. He ended triple talaq, giving respect to Muslim sisters, and through the G20 summit, brought glory to India on the world stage. The construction of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya ended a 550-year-long wait. Now, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji intends to build a grand temple for Sita Mata in Punaura Dham as well. The 11-year record of the NDA government shows development in every sector, increased respect for India in every field, and progress toward global leadership. Bihar too must develop such leadership capacity to guide India. In education policy, AI revolution, animal husbandry, and agricultural economy, Bihar can lead the nation. Bihar has this potential; it only needs a government to provide direction. Now the pit has been filled, the land leveled, and a modern multi-storey building must be erected, the building of a developed Bihar. For this, NDA needs one more blessing from the people.
Shri Amit Shah stated that in 11 years, the Modi government has lifted 25 crore poor people above the poverty line. Every poor person got a bank account, every family received free treatment up to ₹5 lakh, every household got tap water and electricity, every farmer received the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, every hut got a toilet and a gas cylinder. Millions of people received housing, and one crore self-help group sisters were given ₹10,000 as seed money. This is a major campaign to make Bihar empowered, and the results are clearly visible. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar, Bihar’s GSDP increased 15 times over 20 years to reach ₹11 lakh crore. The state budget increased 13 times. The number of teachers rose from 2 lakh to 6 lakh, engineering colleges increased from 2 to 38, the education budget increased 18 times to ₹78,000 crore, and engineering seats increased 31 times to 14,500. Bihar has formulated an ethanol policy. During Lalu Ji’s 15-year rule, only ₹45,000 crore investment attempts were made, of which only ₹11,000 crore materialized. Today, a single effort is bringing ₹1,80,000 crore investment to Bihar. This is a clear indication that Bihar is now progressing rapidly. Now, Bihar only needs one more mandate, the blessing of the people, so that this progress does not stop and Bihar can become the hub of India’s development.
Senior BJP leader said that when they enumerate Bihar’s development figures, tremendous growth in GSDP, massive budget, historic investments in education, increase in colleges, expansion of engineering seats, and new medical colleges, what is the opposition saying? They are saying to let the infiltrators remain on the voter list. The campaign Rahul Gandhi has launched is, in fact, the “Ghuspaithiya Bachao Abhiyan.” Should the names of Bangladeshi infiltrators remain on Bihar’s voter list? What kind of absurd arguments are these, and will the people of Bihar accept such ideas? BJP fully supports the initiative of the Election Commission and will work to remove infiltrators from the voter lists not only in Bihar but across the country. This is not merely about poll process contamination; it is also a burden on our youths’ jobs, the food for the poor, education, and health systems. BJP’s policy is clear: India is not a dharmashala not a single infiltrator will be allowed to stay here. Rahul Gandhi can hold as many rallies as he wants, but as long as even a single BJP MP remains in Parliament, infiltrators will not be allowed to settle peacefully. He questioned the development agenda of Congress and its allies, asking whether their rallies aim at flood relief, education expansion, job creation, or poverty eradication. Instead, he said, they are conducting a “Ghuspaithiya Bachao Yatra” under the guise of working for Bihar’s welfare.
Shri Shah highlighted that the NDA government has already provided opportunities to youth through 35% reservation in government jobs. He referred to a recent video of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son stating, “Har ghar mein ek sarkari naukri denge”. While initially suspected to be AI-generated, the statement was confirmed to be genuine. With approximately 2.8 crore households in Bihar and only around 20 lakh jobs provided so far, fulfilling such a promise would require creating 2.6 crore new jobs. At an average salary of ₹40,000 per month, this would cost about ₹12 lakh crore, while Bihar’s entire annual budget is only ₹3 lakh crore. Shri Shah questioned the feasibility of such a promise and whether Bihar’s youth could be misled by such claims. Emphasized that Bihar’s youth are discerning and will no longer fall for old political deceit. The era of Lalu Yadav, characterized by “Tel pilawan, lathi chalawan, booth darawan”, is over. Bihar has changed; it is now a new Bihar: aware, sensible, and progressing on the path of development.
Shri Amit Shah said that Bihar’s youth, whose talent he recognizes, have the potential to transform not just India but the entire world. Over the past 20 years, significant changes have been made for farmers from soil to irrigation, fertilizer to organic farming, seeds to insurance, farmer honor to credit cards, and FPOs to Farmer Prosperity Centers with visible results: Bihar ranks first in lychee, mushroom, and makhana; second in maize and close to becoming first; third in potato and mango; fourth in lentils and honey; and fifth in moong and sugarcane. When Shri Nitish Kumar first became Chief Minister, Bihar was 18th nationally and had no top-five rankings. This election is an opportunity to accelerate progress. He criticized parties like Congress and RJD for dynastic politics that disregard the capabilities of Bihar’s youth, pointing out RJD’s succession from Lalu Ji to his son to Tejashwi Ji’s son, and Congress’s line from Indira, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi. He questioned whether such dynastic politics can change governance, end corruption, or make India the world’s number one economy, emphasizing that it is now time for a “Politics of Performance,” where only those who perform govern. The youth must decide that governance should reward talent and opportunity, and that jungle raj, Naxalism, and scams like the fodder scam must not return. Building on Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar’s 20-year governance, Bihar should become strong and developed, contributing to the country and the world in every sector. Shri Shah concluded that only BJP and NDA, under Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Shri Nitish Kumar, can achieve this, and he appealed to the public to vote for NDA, free Bihar from jungle raj, and allow its leaders to continue Bihar’s development.