'India's dream merchant' Modi draws rosy picture of Bihar before voters

Addressing his first rally in Bihar after the Election Commission's declaration of the five-phased elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the people of the state would celebrate two Diwalis this year - one after the poll results are out, and the other on the day of the festival itself.

Stating that India's progress is impossible without the progress of Bihar, the Prime Minister said the Central Government had opened its coffers for Bihar to progress.

"A delegation of Bihari people had come to meet me in America, and I was surprised to know that how far they have progressed. They want to see Bihar progressing," said the Prime Minister, adding, "Our first responsibility is to put Bihar on the track of progress, where youths should get jobs and policies should be framed for the progress of the farmers and women empowerment."

Recounting how Mahatma Gandhi had launched his first Satyagraha from Champaran, now East Champaran District of Bihar, Prime Minister Modi said no agitation in India could succeed if it doesn't start from Bihar.

"Bihar has seen feudalism, capitalism, egoism (in apparent remarks to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's opposition to Narendra Modi's prime ministerial candidature), separatism, fascism and nepotism. And now, it is time for the people of Bihar to see progressivism," said the Prime Minister, seeking votes for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Stating that development is the solution for many of their troubles and problems, he said, "The youth of Bihar migrate to other states in search of jobs, leaving their parents behind. I want to change this."

Recalling his last visit to the state, Prime Minister Modi said that he had announced a package of 1.25 lakh crore rupees in addition to 40 lakh crore rupees announced earlier, adding that he would use all 1.65 lakh crore rupees to change the face of Bihar.

"Development needs capital and the Centre has opened its coffers for the progress of Bihar. We are not doing any favour, but it was your long-standing right that was denied to you," he said.

"Whether it would be appropriate to give even a single rupia to the present government, as not even a single paisa would reach the people," the Prime Minister asked to the gathering. "The present government in Bihar is so ego-driven that it will return even the money given for the development of the state back to the Centre," he added.

He was referring to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's decision to return Rs 5 crores donation given by Modi when he was Gujarat chief minister for Kosi flood relief.