Union Home Minister Amit Shah rallied supporters in Araria, Bihar, on Saturday, promising four reasons for people in the state to celebrate Diwali this year. Each one ties into big wins for the region, he said.
Speaking at the event, Shah highlighted the first Diwali as the joyous return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after years of anticipation. “This is a moment of pure celebration,” he told the crowd.
For the second Diwali, Shah pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana just the day before. Under this Bihar government initiative, Modi transferred Rs 10,000 directly into the bank accounts of 75 lakh women—known as Jeevika Didi—across the state. That adds up to a whopping Rs 7,500 crore to boost women’s livelihoods.
The scheme aims to empower women and make them self-reliant through self-employment. Each eligible woman from families in Bihar can use the money for things like farming, animal husbandry, handicrafts, tailoring, weaving, or other small businesses. It’s all community-driven: Self Help Groups will offer training, and the state plans to upgrade rural markets like Gramin Haat-Bazaars to help sell their products.
Over 1 crore women tuned in statewide—from villages to districts—to watch Modi launch the program via video conferencing. He even chatted with some beneficiaries, who praised the effort and thanked both Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for supporting women empowerment in Bihar.
Shah called the third Diwali a win from Modi’s latest GST reforms. These changes slashed prices on more than 395 items by 15 to 20 percent, making everyday goods more affordable for families.
And the fourth? Shah urged voters to make it happen by backing the BJP-NDA alliance in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. “We need to form an NDA-BJP government with more than 160 seats,” he said, firing up the audience for what he sees as a brighter future.
To top it off, Shah pushed for buying only Swadeshi—made-in-India—products this Diwali, especially with the new GST rate slabs in play. “Let’s make a resolve: Whatever we buy, it should be Swadeshi,” he added, tying it to supporting local economies.
The Bihar elections, expected in October or November, are heating up as a key battle between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc. The NDA, led by BJP with 80 seats, JD(U) with 45, and allies, holds 131 spots in the 243-member assembly. The INDIA bloc, spearheaded by RJD’s 77 seats, Congress with 19, and left parties, has 111 members and is gunning to topple Nitish Kumar’s government.
With polls on the horizon, Shah’s message blends cultural festivities, economic boosts, and election calls, aiming to rally Bihar voters around themes of progress and self-reliance.
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