In the first virtual rally in India's history, Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his address the people of Bihar, on June 7, 2020.

Setting the tone for Bihar assembly polls, Mr. Shah said the State moved from “jungle raj to janta raj” during the NDA rule and expressed confidence that the alliance will get a two-third majority in the state assembly polls under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.

Addressing the party workers and people of Bihar through a virtual rally, he attacked the opposition RJD saying the growth rate of the state was just 3.9% when the party was in power, but it rose to 11.3% under the NDA.

Mr. Shah began his address offering his condolences to those who died of coronavirus. “I offer my condolences to all those who died due to coronavirus in India and around the world. I also wish speedy recovery for those battling the disease. I also salute Corona warriors and acknowledge their services,” he said.

“It's the land of Bihar where first Republic government was formed. This land of Bihar has always led India,” Mr. Shah said.

Hours before his virtual rally, RJD leaders and workers staged protests, beating utensils and blowing conches against what their leader Tejashwi Yadav dubbed as the ruling party’s celebration of the devastation caused by COVID-19 and the lockdown.

Referring to the incident Mr. Shah said, “Some people had clanked plate and bowls before this virtual rally. I must say that they finally endorsed what PM Modi had earlier appealed for the people to do.”

“It is because you voted for Prime Minister Modi not only Bihar but all eastern India now has set off its journey to development,” he noted.

Bihar moved from ‘lalten raj’ to ‘LED raj’, Mr. Amit Shah said referring to the RJD’s election  symbol of lamp.

“About 1 crore people of the country have been benefited from Ayushman Bharat scheme,” Mr.Shah said, adding that “LED bulb is illuminating in 2.5 crore household today. It’s not the lantern age today, but of the LED bulbs.”

“The biggest work Modi government has done was to take country's pride to the world,” Mr. Shah said, adding “Modi government on August 5, 2019 dared to scrap article 370 and 35A. This Modi government, through court's judgment, processed the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.”

“Janata curfew will be imprinted in country's golden history for following a leader's appeal. After former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, I have not seen a leader other than PM Narendra Modi on whose appeal the whole country got united,” Mr. Shah noted.

"The sweat of people of Bihar and its migrants is ingrained in this country's foundation...that cannot be forgotten. I must acknowledge their contribution for country's development,” Mr. Shah said referring to the migrant worker’s situation during the COVID-19 times, adding that “The Modi government was able help 1.25 crore people reach their destinations. Where were the other Opposition party leaders in Bihar during this difficult time?”

Mr. Shah went on to say that “Modi government has also allocated ₹20 lakh package which is 10% of the country's GDP for development. I would also like to thank Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar for taking every step to battle against the coronavirus pandemic."

(With PTI inputs)