During his visit to election-bound Bihar on Friday, August 22, PM Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), referring to its past regime as the “lantern era.” He accused the party of pushing the state into an age of darkness marked by lawlessness, corruption, and backwardness. Modi asserted that Bihar’s people were treated merely as a vote bank, with their aspirations, dignity, and development consistently ignored.
The Prime Minister strongly backed the proposed bill that seeks to bar individuals with criminal backgrounds from contesting elections. Taking a dig at opposition leaders, he remarked, “No one can give orders from jail,” pointing to instances where, in the past, government files and orders were allegedly issued from behind bars. Modi argued that such practices reflect a disregard for accountability and are obstacles in the fight against corruption.
Highlighting a stark contrast, he said that if a government employee spends even 50 hours in jail, he automatically loses his job — whether he is a driver, clerk, or peon. Yet, Chief Ministers, Ministers, or even a Prime Minister could continue in office despite being imprisoned. Stressing the need for higher standards in public life, Modi underlined that the NDA government has enacted strong anti-corruption laws, which apply equally to all, including the Prime Minister himself.
