NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a campaign rally in Bihar on Sunday, highlighting Operation Sindoor and its impact on the Congress party. He claimed that the operation, which involved retaliatory strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, left the Congress’ “first family” sleepless. Modi stated, “Blasts were happening in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, but the Congress’ first family was spending sleepless nights here (in India).”

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 in response to the killing of 26 civilians by Pakistan-backed terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. Following the strikes, there were cross-border exchanges between India and Pakistan until a ceasefire was reached on May 10, which the US President Donald Trump announced, claiming credit for brokering it. The Congress-led opposition has questioned Modi about the operation's halt, suggesting it was at Trump’s insistence, while the government insists the ceasefire was a result of bilateral discussions.

In his speech, Modi also criticized the Congress for its reluctance to accept Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial candidate for the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). He alleged that the Congress was pressured by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to agree to Yadav's candidacy. “The Congress never wanted to announce the chief ministerial candidate in favour of the RJD. The RJD secured it by placing a katta (country-made pistol) on the head of the Congress,” he remarked.

Modi further warned that the RJD and Congress would clash after the elections, stating, “Such elements can never do good for Bihar.” He referred to the past governance under RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, saying, “‘Jungle raj wallahs’ are set to get the worst drubbing in history. The people of Bihar have not forgotten the ‘jungle raj’.”

The Prime Minister expressed confidence in a significant victory for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), of which his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a part. Bihar is set to vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be counted on November 14.