Bihar: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed large public rallies across East and West Champaran on Friday, drawing packed crowds who scaled tents, walls, trees and school rooftops to catch a glimpse of the BJP leader. Supporters frequently chanted “Bulldozer Baba” and carried posters reading “Jai Shri Ram” as Yogi hit out at the opposition and urged voters to reject what he called a return to “jungle raj.”
Scenes from the Rallies: Crowds, Chants and High Emotion
At each venue, dense crowds made space scarce; many supporters climbed onto rooftops, perched on trees and sat atop tents and walls to listen. The mood turned electric when crowds chanted “Bulldozer Baba.” Responding to those perched high above the ground, Yogi said: “I am watching those who have climbed trees and houses.” He also acknowledged the slogans and posters waved by supporters.
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Key Messages: Anti-Mafia, Anti-‘Lantern’ Rhetoric
Addressing the rallies, CM Yogi repeatedly blamed the opposition for past lawlessness and economic decline. He warned voters not to be misled by “land grabbers” and accused the Grand Alliance of seeking to “deceive the poor to grab their rations.” He said the people of Bihar must prevent a return to what he described as “jungle raj.”
Targeting opponents, Yogi used a recurring metaphor about lanterns, saying: “These people have come again with lanterns. This isn’t a lantern; it’s a certificate of robbery.” He alleged that in the past the opposition stoked caste conflicts and permitted mafias to thrive.
Accusations of Misrule: Crime, Kidnappings and Identity Crisis
Yogi recalled what he described as Bihar’s troubled past under previous regimes, alleging “more than seven massacres” and claiming that “more than 30,000 kidnappings took place.” He attributed an “identity crisis” among youth to earlier governance, asserting that development and safety have improved in recent years under BJP leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(All such figures and historical claims were made by the Chief Minister during his speeches and are reported here as his assertions.)
Cultural and Political Themes: Names, Heritage and Education
Yogi defended the BJP’s moves to rename cities and places, arguing such changes restore historical identity — citing Faizabad’s renaming to Ayodhya and Allahabad to Prayagraj as examples. He suggested that restoring original names supports cultural and development agendas.
He also contrasted Bihar’s historical contributions — citing figures such as Lord Buddha, Mahavira, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Jayaprakash Narayan, and Karpoori Thakur — with what he called the dim years of corruption and anarchy under the opposition.
Electoral Appeals: Unity, Development and the NDA Pitch
Framing the polls as a choice between recovery and regression, Yogi urged voters to remain united. “If divided, we will be destroyed; if we remain united, we will be safe,” he said. He repeatedly pitched the NDA as the remedy for the alleged failures of RJD and Congress, claiming that only the NDA could restore prosperity, institutions and security.
He also highlighted recent development gains — citing medical and engineering colleges and improved infrastructure — and urged voters to support the NDA to consolidate those gains.
Personal Anecdote and Candidate Push
Yogi said he had given up his parliamentary seat in Gorakhpur in favor of actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan, which he presented as an example of the BJP’s outreach to cultural figures. He invoked local pride and urged voters in Lauriya and surrounding constituencies to cast their ballots decisively.
