BANKA:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called upon the younger generation to shun the path of violence and put their trust in the power of the ballot.
Addressing the first election rally at Banka after the announcement of the Bihar polls, he said, “I appeal to the youth who have joined Naxalism to leave the path of violence and join the mainstream for development. Bullet brings destruction, but ballot brings development.” Solution to all problems lay in development, he added.
Modi said that Bihar was a hub of revolutions and the country’s development was not possible without the State achieving it. Slamming the Nitish Kumar government , Modi said, “Abhi jo Bihar sarkar hai, unka ahankaar to itna hai ki agar mai kuch bheju bhi to woh wapas kar den.” (The ego of those who rule this State is so high that they may return what is sent to them by us.) “After what those people who are ruling Bihar did to Jitan Ram Manjhi, can anybody trust them?” he asked.
Expressing doubts over the delivery system of Bihar, he said, “Some people are raising questions on the `1.65 lakh crore package announced by me. They are asking whether it will come or not. Should a single rupee be given to the present government. Will it reach you?” he asked the crowd. Citing a recent World Bank report on the ease of doing business, he said Bihar continued to lag behind in the 27th place among Indian States, whereas Jharkhand, which happened to be a part of Bihar, had progressed from 29th to 3rd place. “This happened because of a responsive BJP government there,” he added.
Predicting the outcome of the Assembly polls, Modi said, “The people of Bihar will celebrate two Deepavalis this year — one after the election results are declared and the other on the day of the festival.”
“Most of our programmes are meant for the downtrodden,” he said and asked “Tell me, is Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme for the rich or the poor?” Seeking votes for the NDA, he appealed, “Make your decision once and I assure I will be with you in every step of Bihar’s development.”