Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday expressed strong confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would achieve a resounding victory in the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections, declaring that the ruling coalition would secure "more than 160 seats" and establish the next government with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the helm.
"We will win more than 160 seats and form a government in Bihar," Shah stated during an interview with Times Now on Monday, further emphasising, "Nitish Kumar is the CM here, and Narendra Modi is the PM there. The CM's seat is not vacant, and neither is the PM's."
Shah also launched a robust counterattack against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for their personal criticisms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the Bihar election campaign. In response to Gandhi's taunt that the Prime Minister could "dance Bharat Natyam for votes" and Kharge's comparison of Modi's campaigning to a "wedding celebration," Shah described these remarks as indicative of "the Congress's frustration."
"When Manmohan Singh became Prime Minister, he could not reach out to the public, and the Congress made it a fashion to say that a PM should not promote. Why should the Prime Minister not promote? Elections are the celebration of democracy, and connecting with people is the duty of every leader," Shah remarked.
He continued, "Every time, the Congress has used abusive language against Modi ji, be it Mani Shankar Aiyar or others, and every time, the people of this country have responded by ensuring victory for the BJP. This time too, it will backfire."
Regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, which has drawn criticism from certain state governments, Shah explained that it constitutes a standard administrative procedure.
"SIR is not happening only in the states where there are elections. It is happening in stages, with 2025 and 2026 already underway, and 2027 to follow later. It has been conducted 11 times since 1955," he noted.
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Addressing reports that over 65 lakh names had been deleted in Bihar, Shah clarified, "The Election Commission has identified them, not us. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that only citizens aged 18 years or older are registered. The Supreme Court has not done this, the Election Commission has, as part of its constitutional duty."
In rebuttal to opposition claims that the government's welfare programmes are being leveraged as an electoral strategy, Shah affirmed that the NDA's priority lies in uplifting all societal segments, without regard to caste or religion.
"Women, youth and farmers are not a caste formula; it is a social formula. Dalits, backward classes, farmers, and even poor Muslims have benefited. The criterion is not caste; it is inclusive national development," he explained.
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Highlighting the trust fostered by the BJP-led alliance through effective governance and initiatives aimed at the underprivileged, Shah declared, "After Narendra Modi's government came, we made schemes for the welfare of the poor. More than 50 per cent of people have benefited and gained empowerment. The future of this country's poor lies with the NDA."
Separately, amid the uproar over the arrest of RJD leader Anant Singh in connection with the murder of Dularchand Yadav, Shah highlighted a clear contrast between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan, pointing to the opposition's past.
"The decision to give him a ticket is that of his party. Anand Singh has a criminal record, but he is not someone who deserves punishment like Lalu ji. Lalu ji has already been punished and released on health grounds. And Rahul ji is doing rallies with him, raising hands together," Shah observed.
He concluded by advising the opposition to "first look into their own record of 'Jungle Raj'" prior to critiquing others.
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