In a fiery pre-election rally in Muzaffarpur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the opposition alliance of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, describing them as representing the “five identities” of Bihar’s so-called jungle raj: katta (country-made guns), kroorta (cruelty), katuta (resentment), kushasan(misgovernance), and corruption.

Attack on opposition over Chhath remarks

Modi’s remarks came a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi allegedly referred to the PM’s planned Chhath Puja celebrations at the Yamuna as a “drama.” Responding to this, Modi accused the opposition of insulting Bihar’s faith and traditions.

“It is my first tour of Bihar after Chhath Puja, which is now famous across the world. Chhath stands for devotion and equality. My government is working to get it recognised as a UNESCO heritage festival. But while your son is working for its honour, Congress and RJD leaders call it a nautanki,” Modi said.

He added that such comments were an attempt to stoop to low levels for votes, calling it an insult that Bihar would not forget for centuries. The crowd responded enthusiastically with chants of “Phir ek baar NDA sarkar.”

Accusations against RJD and Congress

Modi also criticised the unnatural alliance between the RJD and Congress, comparing it to mixing water and oil. He claimed the coalition had formed solely to loot Bihar again and highlighted reports of infighting between their own leaders.

The Prime Minister highlighted the violent past of RJD rule in Bihar, alleging:

• 35,000 to 40,000 kidnappings occurred during their tenure.
• Goons looted vehicle showrooms.
• Their current campaign rhetoric glorifies katta (guns) and dunali (bullets).

In contrast, Modi positioned the NDA as champions of cultural preservation, development, and law and order. He argued that the alliance of RJD and Congress represented violence, resentment, and misgovernance.

Bihar Assembly elections 2025: The political battle

The upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled for October–November 2025, will determine the composition of the 243-member state legislature.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with allies like Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), seeks a consecutive term.

The opposition INDIA bloc, comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties, led by Tejashwi Yadav, aims to challenge the incumbent coalition. Additionally, political strategist Prashant Kishor has entered the fray with his Jan Suraaj Party, contesting all 243 seats, signaling a fresh political presence.

Current assembly strength

The present strength in the Bihar Assembly underscores the political stakes:

NDA:

• BJP: 78 MLAs
• JD(U): 45 MLAs
• Other NDA allies & rebels: 9
• Total NDA strength: 132 (majority mark: 122)

Opposition (INDIA bloc):

• RJD: 75 MLAs
• Congress: 19 MLAs
• CPI(ML)-L: 12 MLAs
• CPI & CPI(M): 2 each
• AIMIM: 1 MLA

Political implications

Modi’s rally in Muzaffarpur was designed to reiterate the NDA’s narrative ahead of the elections, framing the opposition as agents of past misgovernance and lawlessness. By invoking the “five Ks of jungle raj,” he sought to evoke collective memory of lawlessness and mobilize voters around governance and cultural pride.

The PM’s remarks on Chhath Puja also highlight the NDA’s strategy of combining cultural symbolism with political messaging, emphasizing their efforts to preserve traditions and gain global recognition for India’s festivals.

Meanwhile, the opposition continues to accuse the NDA of using state machinery for electoral advantage, with leaders like Rahul Gandhi questioning the authenticity of pre-election events. This battle of narratives—development and cultural pride versus alleged political theatrics—is likely to dominate the electoral discourse in Bihar over the coming weeks.

Conclusion

With the election dates approaching, the BJP-led NDA aims to consolidate its current majority of 132 MLAs, projecting stability, governance, and law and order, while casting the opposition as violent and corrupt. The battle for Bihar in 2025 is set to be a high-stakes contest, shaped by both historical narratives of governance and cultural symbolism, with Prime Minister Modi and his campaign strategically targeting the opposition’s credibility and past record.