Araria (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday charged the opposition RJD-Congress combine in Bihar with having a soft corner for infiltrators, but "dislike" for Lord Ram and 'Chhathi Maiya' because of vote bank politics.
Addressing a rally in Araria district, Modi also alleged that the reluctance of opposition leaders to visit Ayodhya to have 'darshan' of shrines dedicated to Nishad Raj, Mata Shabri and Maharshi Valmiki was indicative of their "hatred" for Dalits and backward classes.
"Bihar saw zero development during the 15 years of 'jungle raj'. No highways and bridges were built, nor any centres of higher learning were set up. The NDA under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has worked very hard to bring the state out of that era," he said.
"Today, Bihar has so many expressways, bridges over rivers, as many as four central universities and other centres of higher learning. Only the NDA can ensure that this journey towards growth continues uninterrupted," he added.
Modi said the NDA faces a big challenge on this journey of growth, which is the menace of infiltration.
"The NDA is committed to driving out each and every infiltrator from the country. But the Congress-RJD offer them protection, take out political yatras in their favour and come up with misleading narratives," alleged the PM in an indirect reference to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' and allegations of "vote theft".
"Whenever the RJD-Congress achieve power, they try to give back-door entry to infiltrators. They do so because of vote bank politics. But this takes a toll on the people of this country. The infiltrators claim a share in all that belongs to the citizens," he added.
Modi also said vote bank politics has filled the opposition leaders with contempt for traditions.
"The naamdaar of Congress (Gandhi) called the devotion to Chhathi Maiya a drama. They never visit Ayodhya to have a darshan of Lord Sri Ram," he said.
"I understand their dislike for Lord Ram. But they can at least pay obeisance at the shrines dedicated to Nishad Raj, Shabri Mata and Maharshi Valmiki. Their reluctance to do so only indicates their hatred for Dalits and backward classes," he alleged.
The PM, who spoke for nearly 40 minutes, began his speech with a reference to voting that was underway in 121 out of 243 assembly segments in the first phase of elections.
"I have seen wonderful pictures of voters turning up in large numbers at polling booths. The enthusiasm is visible among the young and the old alike. I urge all those who may not have cast their votes till now to do so at the earliest," he said.
"You must realise the power that your one vote holds. Your ancestors had cast one vote each to usher in social justice in Bihar. Then it was again through the power of the same one vote, that 'jungle raj', which afflicted the state for 15 years, ruining the lives of an entire generation, was driven out," he said.
Modi reiterated that 'katta' (country-made weapons), 'kroorta' (cruelty), 'katuta' (bitterness), 'kushasan' (misgovernance) and corruption were the hallmarks of the 15-year-long 'jungle raj'.
"The 'jungle raj wallahs' (leaders of lawlessness) used to lord over you, their swagger indicative of an attitude that revealed their mindset of considering themselves the masters of the people. Modi believes in a different set of values. He considers the people as his masters (mai-baap), as his own family," he said.
The PM also claimed that infighting was on between the Congress and the RJD, and "after elections, all these INDI Alliance partners will be seen breaking each other's heads".
"The fight between the RJD and Congress has reached such a level that now their deputy CM candidate is speaking up against 'jungle raj'," he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Beijing (PTI): Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world, and reached a series of new common understandings, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.
Xi and Trump, who is on a three-day visit to China, met twice on Thursday and discussed a range of bilateral and global issues.
Trump is due to leave on Friday after a luncheon meeting with Xi.
Summing up the outcomes of Trump’s visit to Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world and reached a series of new common understandings.
They agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability to provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations over the next three years and beyond.
The two presidents also agreed to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations, and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world, said a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson.
Trump visited China at the invitation of Xi.
The two presidents are meeting in person again for the first time since their Busan meeting last October, and it is the first visit to China by a US president in nine years, the statement said.
On Thursday, President Xi held a welcome ceremony and a banquet for Trump, held talks and visited the Temple of Heaven with him.
VIDEO | Beijing: On second day of bilateral talks, US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) thanks Chinese President Xi Jinping for 'incredible' China trip.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 15, 2026
Trump says, "Thank you very much. This has been an incredible visit. I think a lot of good has come of it. We've made some… pic.twitter.com/7A7lbEzLdC
