Patna, Sep 26 (NationPress) As the Bihar Assembly elections draw near, the political landscape heated up on Friday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana via a virtual event from Delhi. While praising this initiative aimed at empowering women, PM Modi seized the moment to deliver a pointed critique of the opposition, especially the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, accusing them of leading Bihar into a time marked by chaos and fear.

Recalling the days of RJD rule, he characterized them as a period of lawlessness and despair, referring to it as the 'lantern rule'.

“We must not forget the times when the RJD was in charge. During that era, Bihar was shrouded in anarchy, corruption, and fear. Our mothers and sisters were the most affected,” PM Modi stated.

He illustrated a bleak scenario before the NDA era—dilapidated roads, absent bridges, inadequate flood management, and pregnant women unable to access hospitals during critical moments.

“In the past, people lived in dread, and Naxalite violence was rampant. Women bore the brunt of this suffering. Today, every home is safe, and Bihar’s daughters can step outside without fear,” he emphasized.

Praising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his leadership, the Prime Minister indicated that the double-engine government has reinstated law and order and significantly enhanced Bihar’s infrastructure.

“The restoration of law and order has had the greatest impact on women. Today, women are becoming self-sufficient and pursuing self-employment with comprehensive government support,” PM Modi remarked.

He also encouraged young women to explore a special exhibition featuring old newspaper articles from the RJD era, serving as a reminder of the challenging days their parents faced.

“We will not allow Bihar to regress into darkness again. Development and effective governance are the only paths forward,” PM Modi asserted.

The event marked the launch of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, under which a sum of Rs 10,000 was directly credited to the accounts of 75 lakh women, amounting to Rs 7,500 crore in the initial phase.

Successful entrepreneurs will later qualify for financial aid of up to Rs 2 lakh.

In an engaging appeal to Bihar’s women voters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi portrayed himself and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as two brothers committed to the welfare of Bihar’s sisters.

During the ongoing Navratri festival, he sought the blessings of women and positioned the NDA government as a true proponent of women’s empowerment.

“A brother finds joy only when his sister is content. In Bihar, your two brothers -- Narendra and Nitish -- are striving for your well-being,” PM Modi stated, adding that the blessings of women during Navratri empower him greatly.

Labeling it a “historic step” by Nitish Kumar’s administration, PM Modi connected the seamless transfer of funds to the Jan Dhan revolution initiated during his first term.

“Had we not launched the Jan Dhan Yojana 11 years ago and opened over 30 crore bank accounts, could we send this money directly today? Previously, a former Prime Minister acknowledged that when Rs 1 was sent from Delhi, only 15 paise reached the needy. Now, every rupee lands directly in your account.”

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, initially announced by Nitish Kumar, aligns with central initiatives like the Lakhpati Didi campaign, Mudra Yojana, Drone Didi, and Insurance Sakhi, all designed to foster self-employment avenues for women.

“The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana will further bolster the Lakhpati Didi mission. So far, over two crore sisters have become Lakhpati Didis, and our goal is to reach three crore,” PM Modi stated.

He highlighted the achievements of women-oriented initiatives like the Ujjwala Yojana, which has provided gas connections to millions of rural families, liberating women from noxious kitchen smoke.

“When a government prioritizes women in its policies, the entire society reaps the rewards,” stressed the PM.

This address occurs against the backdrop of an assertive campaign by both the NDA and Grand Alliance parties as Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections.