Key Points

Citing the reasons to celebrate four Diwalis, Shah said, the first reason is the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya, the second is because Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana yesterday, and the third is because of the next-gen GST reforms.

He said the fourth Diwali will be celebrated if the BJP-NDA wins in the Bihar elections and forms its government.

Addressing a rally here, the Union Minister said, Home Minister Amit Shah says, "This time, people of Bihar have to celebrate four Diwalis. The first Diwali is to be celebrated on the day Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya. The second Diwali, just yesterday, Modi deposited Rs 10,000 each into the bank accounts of our Jeevika Didi's, so celebrate that. The third Diwali, Modi reduced the prices of more than 395 items by 15 to 20% through GST. And the fourth Diwali, we have to celebrate it by forming an NDA-BJP government with more than 160 seats..."

Union Minister Shah urged people to purchase only 'Swadeshi' products this Diwali, following the changes in the GST rate slabs.

He said, "In this Diwali, we shall ensure whatever we purchase is Swadeshi. We have to take resolve of that."

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Modi launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana for Bihar via video conferencing. During the programme, the Prime Minister directly transferred Rs 10,000 each into the bank accounts of 75 lakh women across Bihar, totalling Rs 7,500 crore.

The assistance can be utilised in areas of the beneficiary's choice, including agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, tailoring, weaving, and other small-scale enterprises.

During the event, PM Modi also interacted with the beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries lauded the scheme and expressed gratitude towards PM Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

According to a press release by the PMO, the scheme, an initiative of the Government of Bihar, is aimed at making women Aatmanirbhar and promoting women's empowerment through self-employment and livelihood opportunities.

It will provide financial assistance to one woman from each family in the state, enabling them to start employment or livelihood activities of their choice, thereby fostering economic independence and social empowerment.

The scheme is community-driven, in which, along with financial support, community resource persons connected to Self Help Groups will provide training to support their endeavour. To support the sale of their produce, Gramin Haat-Bazaars will be further developed in the State.

The launch of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana featured a statewide program across multiple administrative levels in the State --district, block, cluster, and village--with over 1 crore women witnessing the programme, the PMO stated.

The upcoming assembly elections in Bihar are seen as crucial, with the BJP and NDA facing off against the opposition INDIA bloc.

The Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year, in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced an official date.

While the NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, aims to continue its tenure in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD, Congress, and left parties, seeks to oust Nitish Kumar.

In the current Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consists of 131 members, with the BJP having 80 MLAs, JD(U) having 45, HAM(S) having 4, and the support of 2 Independent Candidates.

The Opposition's INDIA Bloc comprises 111 members, with the RJD leading with 77 MLAs, followed by the Congress with 19, the CPI(ML) with 11, the CPI(M) with 2, and the CPI with 2.

- ANI