‘Practicing for drowning in Bihar elections’: PM Modi’s dig at Rahul Gandhi’s fish pond dive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a sharp dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his viral fish pond dive in Bihar’s Begusarai earlier this week.

Addressing a public rally in Sitamarhi ahead of the second phase of the Bihar assembly elections, the PM made a veiled jibe, saying some “bade bade log” are now visiting Bihar to “see fish” and “practice drowning in the elections.”

“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 said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Rahul Gandhi, during his recent outreach to the fishermen community in Begusarai, was seen taking a boat to the middle of a muddy pond before diving in — a video that quickly went viral.

He was accompanied by former minister Mukesh Sahni and Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar.

PM Modi also hit out at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Opposition, alleging that if elected, they would bring back an era of “katta, kushasan, kroorta, and corruption.”

“I shudder to hear that the RJD is making children say they want to become ‘rangdaar’ when they grow up,” he said. The PM added that the prevailing sentiment in Bihar was clear: “We do not want a katta sarkar, we want an NDA sarkar again.”

The second phase of polling in Bihar is scheduled for November 11, following a 64.69% voter turnout in the first phase on November 6.