Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday officially launched his election campaign in Bihar, beginning with a visit to Karpuri Gram in Samastipur to pay floral tributes to the late Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur at 11 AM. The campaign kickoff is significant, as PM Modi will address rallies in Samastipur at 12:15 PM and in Begusarai at 2 PM.

The Prime Minister’s first stop, Samastipur, is the birthplace of Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, who served as Bihar’s Chief Minister in the 1970s and was recently awarded India’s highest civilian honor. Thakur, a renowned socialist leader, is remembered for his efforts toward social justice and the upliftment of marginalized communities. His policies, particularly those supporting backward classes, continue to influence the state.

After paying homage, PM Modi will engage with the public through rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai, key events in the election campaign. The NDA government has highlighted its developmental work in Bihar, while the Prime Minister has criticized the opposition, calling their alliance a “Lathbandhan,” alleging that self-interest takes precedence over the welfare of Bihar’s youth.

Speaking virtually to Bihar’s young workers under the ‘Mera Booth Sabse Majboot’ program, PM Modi emphasized that decades of Naxalism and Maoist terror hindered education, healthcare, and industrial growth. He credited the NDA government with bringing Bihar out of the so-called “jungle raj” and guiding the state toward development, while taking steps to curb Maoist and terrorist activities.

Samastipur has traditionally been an RJD stronghold, with Akhtarul Islam Shahin winning the seat for three consecutive terms, including a narrow victory in 2020. Begusarai, Bihar’s industrial hub, is also known for its historical and cultural significance as the birthplace of poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. As the election campaign gains momentum, PM Modi and other senior NDA leaders, including Amit Shah, are actively engaging with voters across the state, emphasizing development achievements and contrasting them with the opposition’s past governance.