BJP has the edge in Bihar: Sushil Modi

Narendra Modi's announcement of a Rs 1.25 crore Bihar package has surcharged the already heated electioneering and outlined the high stakes for the BJP and Lalu-Nitish-Congress combined. Former Bihar deputy CM and a senior BJP member Sushil Modi explains why he feels the saffron alliance has the edge. Excerpts of a conversation with Rajeev Deshpande:
What exactly is the difference between projects announced earlier and the package announced by PM?
The total package is actually Rs 1.65 crore. There are projects amounting to Rs 40,000 crore that are outside the amount announced by the PM on Tuesday.The Rs 40,000 crore of projects include an ultra mega power project at Banka and Rs 8,000 crore assistance under the Backward Regions Grant Fund. The funds under BRGF were transferred to the states under the 14th Finance Commission recommendations but we met the PM and pleaded that Bihar being a really backward state needs this continued central assistance. Projects under the package announced by the PM will include a central university in Bhagalpur, a six-lane bridge across the Ganga, three more mega bridges. What the PM has done is to fulfill his promise. He had said he would return the favour if NDA assumed office. Bihar ko sood ke saath karz wapis karne ka wada tha (the pledge was to return the principle with interest). The Centre will take Bihar forward, out of the Bimaru category it is in.
The PM’s personal involvement seems to indicate that the stakes are bigger than Bihar, with national ramifications…
But he has been the star campaigner in other elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Haryana. It is only natural when he is leading the government as the party’s leader.
The RJD-JD(U) combine says the PM’s remarks on DNA and Bimaru status are an insult to Bihar.
These are diversionary tactics, the so called ‘swabhiman’ rally is just that. The talk of caste, DNA is to take attention away from the impact of the PM’s focus on development. Sentimental issues are used to confuse voters who will see through all this. The rural areas are unmoved and BJP is strong in urban areas. BJP rallies are attracting the youth who see Lalu as a terrible farce.
But the Nitish government also claims to have delivered on development.
Nitish Kumar lost that card. Even though development was an issue earlier, it is a tumult today. BJP ka zabardast advantage hai. Our opponents are counting on vote banks. They will realize their hopes were misplaced as the JD(U) lost its development USP after leaving BJP and allying with Lalu Prasad. The hunger for development will cut across all sections.
READ ALSO: PM Modi to inaugurate Rs 9,700 crore road projects in Bihar
'Acche din' for Bihar: PM Modi announces Rs 1.25 lakh crore package
Post rally: It is advantage Sushil Modi in Bihar BJP