Patna: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday voiced confidence that the NDA will retain power in Bihar, dismissing the opposition INDIA bloc led by the RJD as “jungle raj wearing a new mask.”

Concluding his three-day tour of the poll-bound state, Shah said the NDA will continue Bihar’s journey of progress “with PM Narendra Modi above and CM Nitish Kumar below.” Speaking at the ‘Bihar Samagam’ conclave organised by ABP News and Hindustan, he urged voters not to trust those who would “drag Bihar back to its dark past.”

“I have come to seek the blessings of the people of Bihar. Over the last 20 years, we have turned a pothole into a firm foundation, and now we aim to build a grand structure on it. Give us one more chance to continue the progress under Nitish Kumar’s leadership,” Shah said.

Asked about Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, Shah refused to comment, saying, “He has floated a new party contesting for the first time. We’ll talk about him after the results are out.”

Rejecting opposition criticism that the NDA is announcing pre-poll freebies, Shah said the ruling alliance has been consistently focused on welfare. He highlighted major government initiatives: free food grains for 8.52 crore beneficiaries, financial aid to 87 lakh farmers under the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, crop insurance for 52 lakh farmers, free medical treatment for 3.53 lakh citizens under Ayushman Bharat, 1.57 crore LPG connections under Ujjwala, and homes for 44 lakh families.

Shah said Bihar has transformed significantly under the JD(U)-BJP alliance, noting the end of kidnapping and caste violence, as well as improved infrastructure. “Earlier, it took me six and a half hours to travel from Patna to Gaya; now it takes only two,” he said.

He emphasised that the next phase of Bihar’s development will focus on technology and innovation. “We are in the age of Artificial Intelligence, and Bihar, with its talented youth, can become an AI hub,” he stated.

Describing Bihar as the land of emperors like Chandragupta Maurya, Shah said the state has historically been a seat of power and prosperity and asserted that it has the potential to reclaim its past glory.

With inputs from PTI