PM Modi Recreates ‘Jungle Raj’ Scene in Bihar to Connect with First-Time Voters

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Patna: In a strategic move ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked terms like ‘Katta’ (rifle) and ‘Donali’ (double-barrel gun) to depict the infamous ‘Jungle Raj’ era. This reference was specifically aimed at young voters who were too young to witness Bihar’s lawless past under Lalu Prasad Yadav’s 1990s government.

Modi’s speech recreated the atmosphere of a period when carrying guns openly was a common sight in public. “From 1990 to 2005, waving a ‘Katta’ or brandishing a double-barrel gun from a car window was a reality. Today, such scenes are unimaginable,” noted political analysts. By using these terms, the Prime Minister sought to illustrate the contrast between the chaos of Jungle Raj and the governance under the present administration.

Targeting the Youth Vote

The BJP’s campaign machinery is highly systematic, with each voter segment carefully mapped. This time, the focus is on voters born after 2000, who have grown up under the era of ‘Sushasan’ (good governance) and have no firsthand memory of Jungle Raj. With the rise of Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) after the 2015 elections, the shadow of the old lawlessness had slightly faded, and NDA aims to remind the electorate of Bihar’s past to influence the youth vote.

Youth Voter Demographics

According to the Election Commission data up to 30th September 2025, Bihar has 7.43 crore registered voters, including 3.92 crore men and 3.50 crore women. This election sees over 1 crore youth voters, with 1.63 crore aged 20–29 years, and 14.01 lakh first-time voters casting their votes for the first time. Political experts suggest that successfully conveying the Jungle Raj message to this segment could be a game-changer for NDA in the upcoming polls.

By invoking this imagery, PM Modi’s campaign attempts to bridge history with the present, ensuring that the new generation appreciates the contrast between Bihar’s past turbulence and current governance.

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