Aurangabad, Bihar – Prime Minister Narendra Modi escalated his attack on the Opposition’s Mahagathbandhan in Bihar on Friday, deploying a sharp, vernacular jibe to caution voters against returning to the state’s past era of lawlessness.1 Speaking at an election rally in Aurangabad, the Prime Minister asserted that the people of Bihar emphatically reject a ‘Katta Sarkar’—a government ruled by the gun—and have no desire to relive the days of ‘dunaali’ (double-barreled gun) and ‘rangdaari’ (extortion).2
The fiery rhetoric is part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s strategy to frame the election as a contest between its vision of Vikas (development) and the Opposition’s alleged history of Jungle Raj (misrule), a term frequently used to describe the period of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) rule between 1990 and 2005.3
The ‘Katta, Dunaali, Rangdaari’ Slur
The Prime Minister’s comments target the core of the RJD’s governance record.4
- ‘Katta Sarkar’: The phrase translates to ‘gun government,’ symbolizing a regime defined by crime, corruption, and a complete breakdown of law and order. PM Modi stated clearly, “Bihar does not want a ‘Katta’ Sarkar.5 Bihar wants a government focused on development and good governance.”
- ‘Dunaali’ and ‘Rangdaari’: These two words paint a picture of a criminalized political environment. ‘Dunaali’ (double-barreled gun) emphasizes gun violence, while ‘Rangdaari’ means extortion or protection money, a practice that allegedly crippled businesses and caused a severe flight of capital and youth migration from the state during the ‘Jungle Raj’ years.
PM Modi contrasted this imagery with the NDA’s track record, stating that his government and its allies, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, have replaced this atmosphere of fear with stability and progress.6 He highlighted key development projects, infrastructure growth, and welfare schemes as the NDA’s guarantee for a ‘Viksit Bihar’ (Developed Bihar).7
The Battle for Bihar’s Narrative
The Opposition, led by the RJD and the Congress, has been quick to dismiss the PM’s allegations. Senior leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, have hit back, calling the ‘Katta’ comments and other attacks on the Mahagathbandhan’s manifesto a bundle of “lies” designed to distract from the real issues of unemployment, poverty, and inflation.8
However, the NDA continues to push the narrative of law and order, a politically potent issue in the state. By constantly invoking the fear of a return to the past, the Prime Minister is making a direct appeal to the youth and women voters, who are seen as major stakeholders in maintaining peace and stability.
As Bihar heads into the subsequent phases of polling, the debate remains starkly polarized: a choice between the NDA’s promise of continuity and development versus the fear of returning to the ‘katuta, krurta, kushasan’ (bitterness, cruelty, misrule) of the past, as articulated by the Prime Minister.9
The video provides relevant context on the opposition’s connection to the ‘Rangdari’ and ‘Jungle Raj’ narrative being pushed by the BJP leadership in the Bihar election. JP Nadda Tears Into RJD, Says Party Stands For ‘Rangdari’, ‘Jungle Raj’ & ‘Dadagiri’
