When Bihar progresses, Congress, RJD insult state: PM slams ‘bidi-Bihar’ remark

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress on Monday over the current “bidi-Bihar” controversy, claiming that opposition leaders become preoccupied with disparaging the state anytime it makes progress.

“Rail engines made in Bihar are being exported to Africa, but this doesn’t sit well with Congress and RJD leaders. Whenever Bihar progresses, these parties get busy insulting the state. Congress, in partnership with RJD, is busy mocking Bihar on social media, comparing state to Bidi. These people hate Bihar,” PM Modi said while addressing a rally in Purnea.

PM Modi’s scathing comment followed days after a dispute broke out when the Kerala section of the Congress ridiculed the BJP for recent GST changes in a post that said, “Bidis and Bihar start with B.” is no longer regarded as sin. Outrage was generated by the tweet, which pointed out a reduction in GST on bidis, and the party was compelled to issue an apology. Later, the post was also removed.

PM Modi slammed the opposition parties over the row. He also sought to draw a contrast between his government and the opposition, saying, “For RJD and Congress, the biggest concern is to worry about their own family. These people will never worry about your family. But for Modi, you all are Modi’s family. And that is why Modi says ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’… Modi cares about your expenses, cares about your savings.”

He added that the recent GST cuts were meant as a festival-season relief, stressing that prices of “toothpaste, soap, and shampoo to ghee and many food items” would fall, easing household budgets.

“When there is a government that cares about the poor, it works for the welfare of the poor,” PM Modi said. PM Modi blasted the RJD and the Congress for allegedly mismanaging Bihar while in power, saying that mothers and sisters would respond appropriately to them in the next assembly elections.