Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of “neglecting Bihar” while promoting their home state, Gujarat, and turning the upcoming Assembly polls into a “battle between Biharis and baharis (outsiders).”

A day after PM Modi kickstarted the BJP’s Bihar campaign with two rallies, Tejashwi accused him of “defaming” the state and diverting development funds to Gujarat.

“Modiji will set up factories in Gujarat but wants victory from Bihar — this won’t happen. We Biharis don’t fear outsiders,” he said at a rally.

Tejashwi’s remarks came as Amit Shah addressed three rallies in north Bihar, where he likened the five-party NDA alliance to the “Pandavas,” promising “stability” and “good governance.”

“Only one industry flourished in Bihar during Lalu-Rabri rule — that of kidnapping and extortion. Do you want a return of Jungle Raj?” Shah asked voters in Khagaria.

Framing the election as a “Bihar vs Gujarat” contest, Tejashwi accused the BJP of using Bihar only for votes while pouring investments into Modi’s home state.

“Modiji and Amit Shah will build Gift City, bullet trains, and semiconductor factories in Gujarat; they’ll host global leaders there and name stadiums after themselves. But for Bihar, what have they done in 11 years of double-engine rule?” Tejashwi said.

The 35-year-old leader also extended “sympathy” to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, suggesting the BJP was plotting to replace him after the election.

“I feel sad for Nitish uncle. Amit Shah has already said he is not the NDA’s CM face. So who will run Bihar — a Bihari or outsiders from Gujarat?” he asked.

Projecting himself as a “new-generation Bihari” leader, Tejashwi said, “Bihar remains India’s poorest state after two decades of NDA rule. Give me 20 months and I’ll do what they couldn’t in 20 years.”

Amit Shah, however, dismissed Tejashwi’s promises with a sharp jab: “Lalu’s son talking about law and order is like ‘Sau chuhe khake billi Haj ko chali’ (a cat goes on pilgrimage after killing a hundred mice).”