‘Darkness of lantern era over’, Modi to cheering Patna crowd

Patna, Oct 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi raked up Bihars past to project its future in his Patna rally, which was his third on Wednesday.

He said, the days of the lantern were over, referring to better electric supply, as part of his vikas agenda; at a metaphoric level, it was also a political dig, given the main opposition RJDs electoral symbol is a lantern.

"Atal ji(former Prime Minister) used to say that in Bihar in-bound supply of electricity is less while it vanishes more.The darkness of the lantern era is now over.

Bihars aspirations now are of continued electricity supply, of LED bulbs," said Modi sharing the stage with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the crowd cheered for the PM and chanted his name.This is not the first time he used the phrase era of lantern.

Earlier, at a rally in Sasaram, the PM, in what seemed to be an effort to introduce first-time voters of Bihar to a bygone era, had said, "The need for lanterns in todays Bihar is over.Today every poor household in Bihar has an electricity connection, there is light.

"The strategy of PMs speeches today has been simple - highlight Bihars past to question Bihars future."Who can fulfil the aspirations of the poor and the middle class of Bihar? Those who looted Bihar, can they do it? Those who single-handedly thought of their families and did injustice to everyone will never realise Bihars expectations.Only the NDA can do it," said the PM.It was a mix of resurrection of Bihars fear psychosis of a bygone era of absolute lawlessness, a promise of a better future and highlighting dynastic politics.Making a comparison with the COVID precautions, he said, just like people of Bihar can save themselves from COVID-19 by wearing a mask, they can also "save Bihar" from becoming bimar with a single vote.

It was not the first COVID reference of the day, though for the Prime Minister.Earlier in Muzaffarpur , in a dig at Tejashwi Yadav without naming him, Modi said, "You can imagine what will happen to the funds for COVID-19 if they come to power.