Launching poll campaign in high-stakes Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked former BJP ally and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing him of "back-stabbing", and found faults with the "DNA" of the JD(U) leader whom he <g data-gr-id="142">flayed</g> for associating with Lalu Prasad.
On his maiden visit to Bihar since becoming the Prime Minister in May last year, he slammed Kumar and Prasad, using the controversy surrounding "snake" and "poison" remarks made by them respectively apparently in the context of each other, and said they should not force the people of the state to "consume this poison".
Reminding Kumar that he had once accused Prasad of 'jungle raj', Modi said the JD(U) leader was now trying to drag the state back to such days and asked the voters to reject such people as they "cannot be trusted" again and elect NDA with a two-third majority for changing Bihar's fate.
He said politics had hurt the state's development and promised a special package "bigger" than Rs 50,000 crore which he had announced earlier.
The package will be unveiled after the Monsoon session of Parliament as his "lips are sealed till then", he said after launching projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore in Patna.
Addressing a public rally here later, he said Kumar practices "political untouchability" as he recalled how the JD(U) leader had cancelled a dinner after inviting him and had snapped ties with BJP because of his dislike towards him two years back.
He said Kumar had "strangulated" the state's progress just because of his dislike for him and asked voters whether they would support such "DNA" by "forgiving" them.
"We cannot leave Bihar in the hands of such elements. We won't let jungle raj to return to Bihar. You should take a pledge on this," Modi said.
He said that during the last polls, Kumar had asserted that if he was unable to provide electricity to entire Bihar, he would not come to ask for votes again in 2015.
"Electricity has not <g data-gr-id="126">come</g> but he has come to ask for votes. He betrayed your trust. Forget me, he even back-stabbed you. Such people cannot be trusted again," he said.
"There seems to be some problem in his (Kumar"s) DNA because the DNA of democracy is not like that. In a democracy, you give respect even to your political rivals," Modi said.
Seeking to play <g data-gr-id="127">dalit</g> card, the Prime Minister said Kumar had practised "political untouchability" not only towards him but also a "<g data-gr-id="128">mahadalit</g>" former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, an erstwhile leader of JD(U), who has since joined NDA.
He also hit back at Kumar, who has been accusing him of undermining L K Advani, by referring to the treatment meted out by him former party colleague George Fernandes.
"What did you do with George Fernandes? What did you do with Sushil Kumar Modi (of BJP)? Both of them worked shoulder-to-shoulder with you. But what did you do with them? The people of Bihar should understand this DNA," he said.
Modi took a dig at Prasad for his comments about "drinking poison", which was made in an apparent reference to his accepting Kumar's leadership. Kumar had hit back by saying that he was like "sandal tree" which does not get affected by "snakes" around it.
"Who is <g data-gr-id="123">snake</g> and who is not, who drinks poison and who is making the other drink, that is your internal matter. You should decide that between yourselves in a room. Don't force people of Bihar to drink this poison," he said.
He said while Prasad had chosen to do so for his "vested interest" and "welfare of his kin", why was he forcing the people of Bihar to "drink poison" along with him.
Referring to Kumar's parting ways with BJP to protest his projection as NDA's Prime Ministerial candidate two years back, Modi said, "I can understand that you may not like one person, you may not like his face. There can be a political rivalry. But if you were so much against me, you could have slapped me or strangulated me in a room.
"But, just for one person, you strangulated the progress of Bihar. Is this how democracy functions? In politics, there can be differences. I am pained, not because what you did to me, but what for what you did for the people of Bihar."
With clear reference to the public <g data-gr-id="131">detest</g> being expressed by Kumar towards him, Modi recalled that "The Chief Minister had invited me over dinner. But then snatched my plate. Can anyone snatch your plate after inviting you for dinner"
He was talking about a dinner planned to be hosted by Kumar in 2010 for BJP leaders assembling in Patna for National Executive but cancelled it at the last moment after appearance of advertisements showing him and Modi with hands clutched.
"It hurt me <g data-gr-id="118">badly</g> but I kept quiet and never spoke about it. <g data-gr-id="107">Lalu</g> is saying now that he had to drink poison, I drank poison then," Modi said and asked, "Should such untouchability be practised in politics?"
Addressing Kumar, he said people of Bihar had supported him to free the state from 'jungle raj', an apparent reference to Lalu's tenure, and said "today, you want to push Bihar again to jungle raj (by associating with Lalu)."
He then went on to describe RJD as "Rozana Jungle Raj Ka Darr" and said the people should not allow it to return.
Asking people to support the NDA, Modi said this election was not about whose government will be formed but one that will determine the future of Bihar, about its youth, women and farmers.
"Do you want 'goonda <g data-gr-id="135">raaj</g>' again in Bihar or <g data-gr-id="136">loot</g> in the state? This election is to decide the future of youth, farmers and women. Bihar cannot benefit from such people. You have tried all. Give NDA a chance this time and I assure you that we will change the future," he said.
Taking a dig at Nitish Kumar for not even discussing the state's problems, like lack of electricity generation, with the central government, he said, "Do you want a government that fights with each other or a government that works in close coordination?"
He said, "they have thrown you in the last century. They did not allow Bihar to progress," he said.
Modi said for Bihar to progress faster, it needs the support of both the Central and state governments.
"You need two engines. You have given one engine in Delhi, give another engine from Bihar. Bihar will run faster on the path of development with two engines. Bihar's fate will change, I hope," he said.
He said only 100 days were left for elections and people of the state will send the ruling JD(U) and allies "packing" as Bihar "can never accept" such people.
The Prime Minister also talked about the 14th Finance Commission and said "lies" are being spread regarding it.
"Some people are spreading lies. Under the 13th Finance Commission implemented during the previous (UPA) government, Bihar got a total of Rs 1.5 lakh crore during 2010-15. For 2015-20, under our government, Bihar will get as much as 3.75 lakh crore through implementation of the 14th Finance Commission report," he said.
Lamenting that Bihar lacks infrastructure and industry, he promised that the NDA, if voted to power, will bring about all-round development that will include roads and other infrastructure projects like those for power, besides industry.
He said he has entrusted important portfolios to Ministers who hail from Bihar that includes the all-important Skill development portfolio that will help the youth of Bihar to find job opportunities within the state.