Ahead of Bihar Assembly polls, PM Modi says NDA a cohesive unit

Economic Times

a day ago

Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the Bihar polls, emphasized the NDA's unity and urged MPs to collaborate effectively. He fondly remembered key figures like Balasaheb Thackeray, George Fernandes, and Nitish Kumar, highlighting their role in forming the NDA government.
Ahead of Bihar polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasised that NDA is a cohesive unit, a natural and organic alliance, and asked MPs to work as a team during outreach activities.
In his first address to NDA MPs in over a year, Modi remembered Shiv Sena founder the late Balasaheb Thackeray and the late JDU leader George Fernandes, and fondly mentioned Bihar CM Nitish Kumar as 'Nitish Babu'. The PM asserted that after these leaders joined hands, the NDA government was formed and reforms started, sources said. By mentioning Fernandes and Nitish, Modi has sent out a key message before Bihar polls.
MPs took special note of Modi conveying wishes to home minister Amit Shah for becoming the longest-serving incumbent in his ministry, overtaking BJP veteran LK Advani, a co-founder of the grouping in 1998. "It is just the beginning... There's a long way to go," Modi said about Shah, triggering buzz among NDA MPs. Shah has been at the helm since the Modi 2.0 government took over in 2019, and his stint is of six years and 65 days so far. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju later told reporters that the PM spoke about NDA's long and successful journey.The PM said the Opposition must be regretting its decision to seek a debate on the terror strike and India's military response, according to sources. Modi recalled that he had begun his reply in the Lok Sabha with the assertion that he would present the "stand of Bharat" and praised the points made by NDA speakers.
Modi also took a swipe at leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, a day after the Congress leader was pulled up by the Supreme Court for his claim of China encroaching on Indian land under the current government. Gandhi makes childish and unsubstantiated comments about Indian territory and security, and the court has served him a lesson, Modi said.Praising Modi for Operation Sindoor, NDA resolution said, "The NDA Parliamentary Party lauds the exceptional leadership displayed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during these times. His unwavering resolve, visionary statesmanship and resolute command have not only steered the nation with purpose but also ignited a renewed spirit of unity and pride in the hearts of all Indians."