NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a veiled jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent fishing attempt in Begusarai, saying while Bihar’s fishery sector has grown under the NDA government, “some people are now practising diving in ponds in the state.” “The fishery sector saw huge growth in Bihar, but now some people are practising diving in ponds in the state,” PM Modi said at a public rally in Sitamarhi, drawing laughter from the crowd in an apparent reference to Gandhi’s viral video. The comment set the tone for a combative speech in which the Prime Minister targeted both the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). “Bade bade log bhi yahan ki macchli dekhne aa rahe hain. Paani mein dubki laga rahe hain… Bihar ke election mein doobne ki practice kar rahe hain,” PM Modi quipped, extending his mockery of Gandhi’s Begusarai outing. PM Modi’s remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi made headlines for his impromptu visit to a pond in Bharra village of Begusarai, where he joined local fishermen in catching fish following an election rally. Gandhi was accompanied by Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar and Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani. After addressing the public meeting, Gandhi travelled about 3 km to the pond, boarded a small boat to meet fishermen, and later jumped into the water alongside Kanhaiya, drawing cheers from villagers. Even his SPG personnel waded in to ensure his safety as he helped pull in fishing nets and interacted with locals. During the Sitamarhi rally, PM Modi also described himself as a “brand ambassador of Bihar’s art,” saying he had recently gifted a Madhubani painting to Argentina’s Vice President as a tribute to the state’s cultural legacy. “Those who insult our culture and tradition must be punished electorally,” he said. Targeting the RJD, PM Modi said its campaign exposed its attitude toward Bihar’s youth. “What does RJD want to do for the children of Bihar is clearly visible in their election campaign. Listen to the songs and slogans of the Jungle Raj people. You will be shocked. On RJD’s stages, innocent children are being made to say that they want to become extortionists. Should a child of Bihar become an extortionist or a doctor?... Will we let them win who want our children to be extortionists?” he said. PM Modi further said that voters had already given a clear message in the earlier phase of polling. “In the first phase of the elections, the people of Bihar… The people of Jungle Raj got a ‘65 volt jhatka’,” he remarked, suggesting that the opposition had been rejected. Contrasting the NDA’s focus on growth with what he termed RJD’s legacy of crime, PM Modi said, “In Bihar, it’s fashionable to come here with a pistol and say, ‘Hands up’… Now, there’s no place in Bihar for those who say ‘Hands up’… Bihar needs ‘startup’, not ‘Hands up’.” Highlighting youth empowerment, he added, “We’re giving children books, computers, and laptops. Our children want to excel in sports… But the RJD is talking about giving pistols and double-barreled guns. These people want to make their own children ministers, MPs, MLAs, and Chief Ministers.” The Sitamarhi rally was part of PM Modi’s wider campaign tour across Bihar ahead of the final phases of polling, where he has sought to frame the contest as a choice between “development and Jungle Raj.”
