In Bihar, PM Modi says 'Those who taunted us about Ayodhya Ram Mandir now forced to clap'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched second leg of his campaign for Bihar assembly elections, raking up Ayodhya issue and urging people to defeat opposition which h ushered in a "jungle raj" in state and embezzled funds meant for development schemes.

Invoking imry of Goddess Sita and her far Janaka, king of Mithila of which this rth Bihar town became capital later on, Modi said those who used to taunt BJP over delay in construction of Ram temple were w forced to applause.

"I am happy to be here, in birthplace of Mor Sita. Construction of temple at Ayodhya has also begun. Those siyasi log (political opponents) who used to taunt us with question what is date (for commencement of construction), have w been forced to clap in applause," Modi told a rally here.

prime minister, who shared st with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, lavished praise on latter, calling him "bhaavi mukhyamantri" (prospective CM) and crediting him with Bihar's ecomic turnaround.

" people of Bihar have me up ir mind to inflict yet ar defeat on those responsible for 'jungle raj' where crime graph h soared to an extent that living a rmal life became difficult for common people, our mors and sisters," Modi said in an obvious attack on RJD-Congress combine, without mentioning eir by name.

"y committed financial irregularities in name of waiving farm loans. y took bribes to give jobs. NDA stands for development. Beware of those who are greedily eyeing funds earmarked for progress," said Modi.

He said those who were in power before NDA government was formed were so obsessed with ir "commission" that y never cared about connectivity for regions like Mithila. A project like Kosi Mahasetu could be completed only when NDA was in power both in state and Centre, he ded.

prime minister, who spoke at length about measures taken by Centre for development of Mithila as well as those proposed for future, sought to strike a chord with local populace by recalling legendary Maithili poet Vidyapati and uttering phrases in local langu.

He also me references to "paan" (betel leaves) and "makhaan" (fox nut) cultivated in area in abundance.

In a deft attempt at reaching out to lower castes, Modi also paid tributes to Dalit icon Baba Chauharmal.

ting that voting was underway in several assembly segments in first phase of elections, Modi urged people to stay safe and take precautions in view of COVID 19 pandemic while exercising ir franchise. 

(With PTI inputs)