PM Narendra Modi to address three rallies in Bihar next month

NEW DELHI: After a massive rally in Muzaffarpur on July 25 that launched BJP’s election campaign in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold three more rallies in August in the pollbound state to give a boost to the NDA’s call to displace the NItish Kumar-led JD (U) government.

BJP sources said Modi will hold a rally in Gaya on August 9, followed by another one in Saharsa on August 19 and next one on August 30 or September 1 in Bhagalpur.

All these will be NDA rallies and will be attended by LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, RLSP head Upendra Kushwaha and ex-Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi.

BJP has divided Bihar into four zones and the four rallies to be addressed by Modi will cover these regions, sources said. For each of these rallies, BJP leaders from ten districts of that zone will be asked to galvanise party supporters to attend the programme.

The saffron party has a good political presence in Gaya and this is likely to be further bolstered with Mahadalit leader Jitan Ram Manjhi joining the NDA. Manjhi has been winning from this region for the past several years. BJP sources said Manjhi was keen to hold a Modi rally in Gaya to send across a message to the electorate.

In Saharasa, Modi is holding a rally to make a dent in the RJD stronghold. Congress also has a sizable votebase in this area. The Muslims and Yadavs hold sway over the Saharsa-Madhepura area and BJP has always been on a weak wicket here. BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav has been given the responsibility of making inroads in this region, sources said.