Narendra Modi kicks off Bihar elections campaign; rakes up Article 370

Addresses 3 back-to-back rallies in Rohtas, Gaya, and Bhagalpur districts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched his campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections with three back-to-back rallies where he castigated the opposition over its stand on repeal of Article 370 and reminded the people of the 15-year reign of “crime” and “loot” under the RJD.
 
Modi addressed rallies in Rohtas, Gaya, and Bhagalpur districts, where he shared the stage with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and excoriated the Congress-led Opposition for adopting a contrarian position on “any step taken in national interest”.
 
The prime minister counted abrogation of Article 370, the law against triple talaq, commencement of construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, and military operations at the borders among the steps taken in national interest which the opposition frowned upon.
 
Appealing to the nationalistic zeal of the electorate, Modi raked up the issue of annulment of Article 370 which bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
 
"You tell me, was not the country waiting for Article 370 to be scrapped? When the NDA government did that, they are talking about restoring the provision if they are back in power.
 
"Still they have the audacity to come and seek votes in Bihar which sends its sons and daughters to protect the nation. Is it not an insult to the people of Bihar?" he told an election rally at Dehri-on-Sone in Rohtas district.
 
Referring to the Galwan Valley clash with Chinese troops, Modi said the sons of Bihar laid down their lives for the tricolour but did not let "Mother India bow her head".
 
The soldiers of Bihar were also martyred in the Pulwama attack, he said.