In Patna, the BJP urged Bihar supporters to assemble in the state capital on Sunday to greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who plans to conduct a procession in the city.
This call was made during a collective press briefing, led by former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, also the area’s MP, and Deputy Chief Minister and state BJP president Samrat Choudhary, among others.
“Reflecting on historical chronicles, I discern an unprecedented occurrence where a prime minister stages a procession in our urban confines. Previously, Modi’s forerunners convened at Gandhi Maidan for orations at best,” expressed Prasad, seeking re-election from Patna Sahib.
Further, he articulated, “I entreat denizens statewide to join us in saluting the PM. Urban inhabitants are renowned for their affinity toward Modi. I implore them to adorn their dwellings with blossoms come May 12.”
During the same media address, Choudhary disclosed the PM’s procession schedule for the evening, with specifics to follow. BJP officials rebuffed RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s insinuation that “desperation” propelled the PM to organize a procession in a traditionally secure seat for the saffron party.
“Must the prime minister procure a special visa endorsed by Tejashwi Yadav for his presence here?” countered Prasad, while retaliating against the former Bihar Deputy CM’s renewed call for Patna University’s central status.
“Tejashwi Yadav ought to clarify if his father Lalu Prasad, who long governed Bihar and later served in the Manmohan Singh administration, advocated for these requisites,” remarked the Patna Sahib MP.
Moreover, he stated, “Bihar residents, however, can be assured that we will attend to the state’s needs diligently. Under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, the engineering college in Patna was upgraded to NIT. Modi’s incumbency witnessed the establishment of an AIIMS here, alongside an IIM at Bodh Gaya.”
Choudhary, formerly of the RJD, took aim at Lalu Prasad for accrediting the Mandal Commission’s implementation during his Bihar Chief Minister tenure.
“Prasad’s infirmity and advancing age seem to have impacted his recollection. He should recuperate and recall that even the VP Singh administration at the time faced parliamentary inadequacy. BJP merits acknowledgment not only for its Hindutva stance but also for Mandal,” asserted Choudhary.
The state BJP head added, “Lalu Prasad must recollect that sans our party’s backing, the Janata Dal wouldn’t have formed a government with him as CM.”
“Fact remains, Prasad consistently favored conferring reservations and privileges solely to cohorts he relied upon for support. The PM aptly highlights a scheme to pilfer entitlements earmarked for SCs, STs, and OBCs,” alleged Choudhary.
“Throughout Lalu Prasad and Rabri’s collective fifteen-year reign in Bihar, only their kin benefited. They perpetually peddle falsehoods alleging BJP and Modi endanger the Constitution. Naturally, we opposed flawed legislation like the scrapped Article 370,” Choudhary continued.
In response to Tejashwi Yadav’s insinuation that opposition compelled the PM to take to the streets, Bihar’s BJP chief retorted, “Modi is a ‘fakir’ (ascetic). Tejashwi and his father boast substantial resources.”
Ravi Shankar Prasad fielded a query regarding the recent controversy surrounding Sam Pitroda’s “south Indians resemble Africans” remark, with Prasad attributing it to the technocrat’s association with Rahul Gandhi.
“He is reputedly an advisor to Rahul Gandhi. I now comprehend why the Congress leader frequently finds himself in verbal blunders. Pitroda’s statement exposes his ignorance about the nation and his trepidation over his preferred party’s impending defeat,” Prasad remarked.