‘Tremors Should Be Felt In Italy’: Amit Shah Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Chhath Puja Remark | Elections News

Amit Shah accused Rahul Gandhi of mocking Chhath Puja, praised Modi’s Ayodhya temple work, lauded Nitish Kumar’s governance, and announced new projects across Bihar districts.. (X/@AmitShah)

Patna/Nalanda/Lakhisarai/Munger: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of “betraying his maternal roots in Italy” by allegedly mocking the Chhath Puja festival.

Campaigning across four districts in poll-bound Bihar, Shah claimed the INDIA bloc would be “wiped out” in the upcoming elections as the people of Bihar would “avenge the insult to Chhathi Maiyya”.

“Rahul Baba said that Prime Minister Modi and others who worshipped Chhathi Maiyya were indulging in drama. His maternal roots are in Italy, and hence he is incapable of appreciating Indian sensibilities,” Shah said, urging voters to press the EVM button with such force that “the tremors are felt in Italy,” the Home Minister said.

‘INDIA Bloc Will Be Wiped Out’

The former BJP president accused the Congress and its allies of disrespecting Hindu sentiments, recalling that Congress workers had earlier “hurled abuses” at PM Modi’s mother. He claimed that Bihar’s voters would teach them a lesson.

Shah also attacked the opposition over the Ram temple issue, alleging that the Congress had “thwarted” the temple’s construction for 70 years. He lauded the Modi government for completing the temple project in Ayodhya, calling it a “500-year-old struggle” finally fulfilled.

He further highlighted ongoing projects in the state, saying that a modern Nalanda University is being developed, “one that no marauder like Bakhtiyar Khilji will ever destroy.” He announced that PM Modi would perform the pran pratishtha ceremony at Punaura Dham (believed to be Goddess Sita’s birthplace) within two years, where a ₹850 crore redevelopment project is underway.

Nitish Ended Jungle Raj, RJD Wants to Bring It Back

Shah used his rallies to contrast Nitish Kumar’s governance with that of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, claiming that Bihar had witnessed over 32,000 kidnappings and 12 massacres during their rule.

“Nitish Kumar ended the jungle raj,” Shah said, adding that Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD was trying to bring it back “with a new face”. He rubbished Tejashwi’s claim that the NDA would “recover” money given to women under welfare schemes, saying: “Nobody can dare to take that money back.”

Shah claimed that in 20 years of Nitish Kumar’s rule, “murders have dropped by 20 per cent while dacoities and kidnappings have declined by 80 per cent.”

Promises, Attacks, and New Announcements

The Union Home Minister also announced that a medical college will be built in Lakhisarai in the name of Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Sinha, within the next two years.

He praised the Modi government’s development push, citing:

• ₹18 lakh crore investment in roads, railways, and greenfield expressways,
• ₹9,500 crore revival of the Barauni fertiliser plant,
• ₹900 crore worth of projects in Munger, and
• a GI tag for Katrani rice and the creation of a Makhana Board.

Shah also targeted the UPA, accusing it of scams worth ₹12 lakh crore, while saying that “no one can question PM Modi or Nitish Kumar on corruption.”

“We will drive out infiltrators from Bihar who usurp poor people’s food grains and jobs,” Shah said, crediting Modi for making India “secure” through surgical strikes, the Balakot airstrike, and Operation Sindoor.

Political Reactions

Shah’s strong endorsement of Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Sinha (BJP candidate from Lakhisarai) and Samrat Choudhary (contesting from Tarapur in Munger) drew attention. “They are on their way to become big men,” Shah said cryptically — a remark that sparked speculation about future leadership roles.

Congress leader Pawan Khera reacted on X, writing, “Only the Chief Minister is bigger than the Deputy CM. Hope Nitish Kumar is listening.”