Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched sharp criticism against opposition leaders during campaign rallies in Bihar on Wednesday, focusing his attack on what he called dynastic ambitions within the INDIA bloc.

Speaking at a gathering in Darbhanga, Shah addressed the political aspirations within opposition parties, stating that while the BJP had nominated numerous young candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections, the RJD and Congress had not followed suit. He suggested that RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav wanted his son Tejashwi Yadav to become Chief Minister, while Congress leader Sonia Gandhi harbored similar ambitions for her son Rahul Gandhi to become Prime Minister, noting that neither position was currently available.

The Home Minister characterized the Mahagathbandhan as a “thug bandhan” (alliance of thieves), alleging that Lalu Yadav had been implicated in various scams including fodder, bitumen, and land-for-jobs scandals. He further claimed the Congress party was associated with corruption cases totaling Rs 12 lakh crore.

Shah raised questions about the opposition’s stance on security matters, specifically regarding the banned Popular Front of India (PFI). He referenced operations in Patna’s Phulwari Sharif and questioned whether PFI members would remain incarcerated if the Congress-RJD alliance came to power, emphasizing that the NDA government had banned the organization.

At a separate rally in Begusarai, Shah criticized Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra, alleging it was intended to protect infiltrators and keep their names on voter lists. He claimed the opposition wanted to restore what he termed “jungle raj” in Bihar.

During a third rally in Samastipur, Shah framed the Bihar elections as crucial for preventing the return of lawlessness. He described the NDA as a robust five-party alliance, expressing confidence in securing a decisive victory.

The Home Minister also referenced the late Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, who was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, alleging that the opposition sought to diminish his legacy. He drew parallels to what he described as the Congress party’s historical treatment of Babu Jagjivan Ram.

Shah concluded by questioning the Mahagathbandhan’s commitment to Bihar’s development, claiming Lalu Yadav had failed to advance the state during his tenure.