PM Modi reaching out to different sections of voters in Bihar

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been launching special infrastructure projects for Bihar before the elections are announced in the state, is turning this opportunity to reach out to different sections of voters who had voted for him during the 2019 LS elections, and appealing to their specific needs in carefully-drafted words.

On Tuesday, which happened to be Engineer’s Day, he focused on the engineers of Bihar –– a class which has appreciated Modi for his interest in technology. Lauding their efforts for working within and outside the state for the development of the country, he also launched several projects under the Namami Gange and AMRUT scheme in the state.

Appealing to the most backward classes, he said the people of Bihar have endured pain for decades as basic needs like water and sewerage were not met.

“The women, dalits and most backward class people suffer the most for the lack of basic facilities,” he said, as he reached out to women, dalits and MBCs of the state who form a sizable voteshare.

During the 2015 election campaign, PM Modi had talked about feeling the pain of the MBCs as he himself was from that community. However, at that time, Nitish Kumar, who had a strong hold on MBC voters, proved successful. With Modi and Nitish on the same side, this class voted for them in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

On September 10, Modi launched the Matsya Sampada Yojna across 21 states. But his address was meant for Bihar as several projects under the scheme were launched in the state. The PM mentioned that never has so much money been spent on the fisheries sector post-independence.

The fisherman community called Nishads, which is divided into more than 20 sub-castes, account for 8% of Bihar’s voters and 10% of total MBC voters. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the community deserted their caste candidate Mukesh Sahni of Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) to vote for Modi. The subtle message in the PM’s speech was to strengthen the bond with the community before the assembly elections.

On September 13, while launching three key projects in the petroleum sector in Bihar, Modi said: “There was a time when LPG gas connections in the country and in Bihar belonged to the affluent. People had to get recommendations for each gas connection. But now, this has changed in Bihar. About 1.25 crore poor families of Bihar have been given free gas connection under the Ujjwala scheme.”

Ujjwala and doorstep delivery have been a hallmark of Modi’s governance. Reminding the voters of the free cylinders given during the Covid-19 times, PM revisited the flagship scheme that garnered votes from the lower strata of society.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, tweeted: “…I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the inauguration and foundation stone laying of seven urban infrastructure projects worth Rs 541 crore in Bihar related to Water Supply, Sewerage Treatment and River Front Development….These developmental projects of Modi Government will provide the citizens with clean drinking water and better sewerage facilities, which will bring a major improvement in the basic infrastructure in Bihar. Muzaffarpur River Front will provide a huge boost & strengthen the tourism sector and environment, it will also create job opportunities for the people.”