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Speaking at the News18 Sabse Bada Dangal event, Shah definitively clarified the NDA’s leadership for the Bihar assembly polls
Shah also said no one can touch the Waqf law and stressed that it is the promise of the BJP. (Photo: News18)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a range of political, developmental, and security issues during his conversation with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi at the “Sabse Bada Dangal” event, firmly backing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and dismissing the Opposition’s agenda.
Shah definitively clarified the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s leadership for the Bihar assembly polls. “We are fighting the election under the leadership of Nitish Ji, there is no confusion,” he stated, repeating the assertion for clarity.
He strongly rejected the dynastic political aspirations of the Opposition, directly targeting the families of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Sonia Gandhi. “Lalu Ji’s wish is for his son to become CM, and Sonia Ji’s wish is for her son to become PM. I want to tell both of them that there are no vacancies in Bihar or in Delhi,” he quipped, adding, “There is no place for your sons anywhere.”
Responding to Opposition concerns about Nitish Kumar’s health, Shah countered by pointing to the Chief Minister’s active campaigning: “As far as health is concerned, Nitish Ji is holding four rallies every day and meeting everyone. Where is the question of health?” He added that Nitish Kumar is effectively answering all questions raised by Lalu and Rabri Devi.
Shah criticised the opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) as a “marriage of compulsion” lacking true unity, noting they could not finalise their candidate list until the end. In contrast, he described the NDA’s cohesiveness, stating, “We are fighting like five Pandavas.”
The Home Minister highlighted the NDA’s role in bringing development to the state, saying, “In 11 years, the work has been done to free Bihar from ‘Jungle Raj’.”
He contrasted the NDA’s record with the previous RJD-led regime, asking, “The Barauni factory was shut down during whose time? It was started during Modi’s time.” He cited new projects such as the PM Mitra Park and ethanol plants as proof of industrial progress, asserting that the state’s industries are now returning. “All industries were shut down during whose time? They were shut down during Lalu’s time,” Shah said. “Now industries are coming to Bihar, and IT parks are also being built.”
Shah defended the state government’s welfare schemes, including the liquor ban (prohibition) in Bihar, calling it an NDA policy that grants women a life of dignity. He also addressed the financial viability of welfare promises, specifically the Rs 10,000 provided to 1.41 crore women. He explained that these decisions were made after calculating the rise in Bihar’s GSDP and deficit, assuring that the Rs 10,000 is “seed money”, which will eventually lead to loans up to Rs 2 lakh for the poor, helping them become self-reliant.
He dismissed the Opposition’s massive job promises as unrealistic, citing reports that 12 lakh crore rupees—four times Bihar’s budget—would be needed for them. “They know they won’t come to power, so they are making baseless promises,” he alleged.
Shah reiterated his tough stance on national security and illegal immigration. He questioned the basis for allowing groups like the PFI to operate based on religion, stating, “Any organisation that works against the country will be acted against.” He accused the Opposition of viewing national security actions through a “Hindu-Muslim lens.”
Regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, which the Opposition protests in the name of “vote theft”, Shah asserted, “The ‘vote theft’ march was taken out because infiltrators are being identified and removed one by one.” He challenged the people of Bihar: “Should infiltrators be allowed the right to vote?” He vowed that the Modi government would continue to identify and remove every single infiltrator, regardless of how many “Yatras” (marches) Rahul Gandhi leads to protect them. He revealed that only three appeals were received against the deletions, suggesting that those removed were clearly not Indian citizens.
Shah dismissed Tejashwi Yadav’s promise to scrap the Waqf Act: “As long as the BJP has even one MP, the Waqf Act will not be touched—this is a promise.”
He also accused Rahul Gandhi of lowering the political discourse and insulting the Chhath Maiya (goddess), stating the voters of Bihar will not forget this insult in the election. He concluded, “I have full faith that the voters of Bihar will not forget the insult to Chhath Maiya and Modi Ji.”
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via …Read More
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He trawls X via … Read More
October 29, 2025, 22:36 IST
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