The Siwan Signal – PM Modi Launches Vande Bharat, Targets ‘Jungle Raj’ Ahead of Bihar Elections
Introduction: A Rally, A Train, and A Political Message
On June 20, 2025, Siwan district in Bihar became the stage for one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s most politically charged rallies of the year. Against the backdrop of an enthusiastic crowd and the gleaming Vande Bharat Express, Modi delivered a dual message—development and denunciation. As he flagged off the semi-high-speed train service connecting Bihar with Gorakhpur, he also launched a scathing critique of the opposition—particularly the RJD and Congress—for what he called a return to the “Jungle Raj” era.
In this opening part of our series, we break down the optics, the policy, and the political strategy behind this high-profile event. We analyze not only what Modi said but also what it signifies in the broader context of Bihar’s upcoming 2025 assembly elections.
Siwan – From Political Flashpoint to Development Launchpad
Why Siwan?
Siwan has long been considered a stronghold of political legacy and criminal history—a district once dominated by musclemen-politicians and fractured law enforcement. It symbolized the so-called “Jungle Raj” era that the BJP has used as a recurring campaign issue in Bihar.
By choosing Siwan to unveil critical development projects and launch the Vande Bharat Express, the Prime Minister made a symbolic pivot. It was a message that the era of fear is being replaced with fast trains, investment, and opportunity.
PM Modi’s Speech – Criticism, Contrast, and a Call to Action
Standing on stage before thousands, Modi attacked the opposition with surgical precision. His remarks hit three key themes:
1. ‘Jungle Raj’ Accusation
By invoking the 1990s and early 2000s, Modi reminded the audience of an era defined by lawlessness, corruption, and extortion under Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD.
2. BJP’s ‘Double Engine Sarkar’
Modi praised the Centre-State alignment under BJP and JD(U) as a “double engine” that has brought:
- Record infrastructure investment
- Better law and order
- A culture of governance instead of fear
3. Targeted Emotional Connect
He personalized the message:
This emotional metaphor not only highlighted the Vande Bharat Express but also tapped into public memory and sentiment.
The Launch of the Vande Bharat Express – More Than a Train
Route & Significance
The newly launched Vande Bharat Express from Patliputra to Gorakhpur—which now officially includes Siwan as a key stop—is a central feature of Modi’s infrastructure push. Its key highlights:
- Total Route: 279 km
- Stops: Patliputra, Hajipur, Chhapra, Siwan, Deoria Sadar, Gorakhpur
- Travel Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Purpose: Connect religious, economic, and cultural centers in Bihar and Eastern UP
Symbolism of Inclusion
Siwan’s inclusion in the route is deeply symbolic. For a town once associated with fear and criminality, it is now physically and metaphorically connected to India’s modernization drive.
₹9,300 Crore Projects Unveiled – Bihar on the Move
In addition to the train launch, Modi unveiled an impressive ₹9,300 crore worth of development projects, signaling Bihar’s importance in the national infrastructure roadmap.
Project Categories:
- Railway Modernization: Station upgrades, electrification, and new coach yards
- Highways: Arrah–Sasaram four-lane highway, Chhapra–Muzaffarpur road widening
- Education & Healthcare: New medical colleges and smart classrooms
- Urban Renewal: Smart drainage and sewage systems in towns like Hajipur and Chhapra
- Agriculture & Irrigation: Expansion of storage facilities and canal networks
Integrated Vision
The projects span urban and rural areas, showing a composite development approach designed to cater to voters across classes, castes, and constituencies.
Opposition’s Response – RJD, Congress Push Back
As expected, Modi’s sharp critique drew immediate responses from the opposition.
Tejashwi Yadav (RJD):
Congress Spokesperson:
Despite the pushback, the BJP’s counter-argument remains consistent: Development vs. Decay. And that message, repeated in rallies and across social media, seems to resonate deeply with Bihar’s evolving electorate.
The Political Train Has Left the Station
PM Modi’s Siwan rally wasn’t just a campaign speech—it was a calculated event designed to blend politics, policy, and symbolism. In a single visit, he managed to:
- Invoke the fear of Bihar’s violent past
- Contrast it with visible, physical development
- Launch new infrastructure that binds Bihar to India’s future
- Position BJP as the guardian of both progress and stability
As Bihar prepares for its high-stakes 2025 assembly elections, this rally might be remembered as the moment Modi reset the narrative—from caste and legacy to connectivity and modernity.
The Past that Haunts, the Future that Hopes
In his Siwan rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn’t merely criticize the opposition—he reopened a historical wound. By invoking the “Jungle Raj” of the 1990s and early 2000s, Modi revived memories that continue to influence the political identity of Bihar, particularly in districts like Siwan.
This part traces the evolution of “Jungle Raj” from rhetoric to reality, unpacks Siwan’s political legacy of strongmen and social strife, and explores why this particular region is so symbolically important in the 2025 electoral narrative.
Understanding ‘Jungle Raj’ – The Phrase, the Reality
What is ‘Jungle Raj’?
“Jungle Raj” is a political term, popularized during the late 1990s, to describe a period in Bihar’s history marked by:
- Collapse of law and order
- Criminalization of politics
- Widespread extortion, kidnapping, and land grabbing
- Political patronage for musclemen
- Fear-based governance and caste militancy
This phrase became synonymous with the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD regime, though it was widely contested by his supporters who claimed empowerment of backward classes.
Siwan – The Epicenter of Power and Lawlessness
Mohammad Shahabuddin: A Name That Defined a District
Siwan’s history during the Jungle Raj period is incomplete without the name of Mohammad Shahabuddin, a four-time MP from the RJD and one of the most controversial figures in modern Bihar politics.
Known as both a “Robin Hood” by loyalists and a “feared don” by critics, Shahabuddin turned Siwan into a political fortress where opposition campaigners reportedly avoided entering during elections.
- Dozens of criminal cases were registered against him, including murder and kidnapping.
- His supporters ruled local governance systems.
- Siwan became a case study in how criminal-political nexuses undermine democracy.
Impact on Civic Life
During the peak of this era:
- Schools saw declining attendance.
- Police presence was minimal or inactive.
- Local industries fled due to insecurity.
- Women and children lived under curfew-like fear after sunset.
It was this legacy that PM Modi targeted in his rally when he said:
From Jungle Raj to Governance – The BJP’s Narrative Reset
BJP’s Development Counterpoint
The BJP has built its Bihar campaign narrative around a clean break from the Jungle Raj era, emphasizing:
- Infrastructure growth
- Improved law enforcement
- Transparency in administration
- Youth-focused welfare policies
By contrasting the past with present-day projects—like the Vande Bharat Express, smart road corridors, and modern police stations—the BJP projects itself as the party of peace, order, and opportunity.
‘Double Engine Sarkar’ as a Strategic Lever
The central and state government alignment (Centre: BJP, State: JD(U)-BJP alliance) is pitched as the “Double Engine Sarkar,” responsible for bringing Bihar out of lawlessness and into light.
The Siwan rally showcased this coordination with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and other central leaders standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Bihar BJP legislators.
The Electoral Math – Why Siwan and Its Neighbors Matter in 2025
Siwan Lok Sabha and Assembly Profile
- Lok Sabha Seat: 1 (Siwan)
- Assembly Segments: Darauli, Raghunathpur, Siwan, Ziradei, and Barharia
- Caste Demographics: Strong presence of Yadavs, Muslims, Kushwahas, Rajputs, and Dalits
Historically, Siwan was an RJD bastion due to its Muslim-Yadav support base. However, the growing influence of NDA among EBCs (Extremely Backward Castes) and youth voters is changing the equation.
BJP’s Electoral Playbook
- Targeting aspirational voters (students, small traders) with development narratives
- Projecting RJD as regressive and chaotic
- Using infrastructure as proof of performance: Vande Bharat trains, smart roads, upgraded stations
Surveys suggest Siwan could be a swing district—not necessarily in terms of sheer numbers, but in its symbolic power to signal political momentum.
Development Projects on the Ground – Promises Made, Work in Progress
Siwan’s Local Projects Under PM’s Package
- Siwan Station Modernization Plan: ₹172 crore upgrade with escalators, food plaza, CCTV command centers
- Chhapra–Siwan–Gopalganj Road Corridor: Targeting improved logistics for agri-produce traders
- New Skill Development Centre: To be set up in Ziradei for youth employability
- Smart Water Grid Pilot: In partnership with Jal Jeevan Mission
These projects are being showcased as a contrast to the “fear-based governance” of the past. Hoardings across
Where Policy Meets the People
If speeches and announcements drive headlines, it is lived experience that shapes election outcomes. In Siwan, where the past still lingers and the future feels closer than ever, PM Modi’s rally stirred a mixture of emotions: hope, skepticism, loyalty, and calculation.
This part goes beyond the stage and into the streets—capturing what students, traders, women, farmers, and political volunteers actually think about the Vande Bharat Express, the ₹9,300 crore projects, and the Prime Minister’s “Jungle Raj vs. Development” narrative. We also explore how the RJD and Congress are responding—and whether they can flip the story before ballots are cast.
The Youth Speak – Infrastructure Is Welcome, but Jobs Matter More
College Students – Between Hope and Hesitation
At Siwan’s DAV College and nearby coaching hubs, students expressed excitement over new trains and roads—but repeatedly brought the conversation back to employment.
Arvind Kumar, final year B.Com student:
Reena Ansari, preparing for SSC exams:
For Bihar’s youth, the Modi government’s performance is being measured in recruitment notifications, exam calendars, and startup opportunities—not just in kilometers of highway or megawatts of solar power.
Women’s Perspective – Safety Has Improved, but Welfare Is Slow
From Fear to Mobility
Many women acknowledged that daily life has improved in terms of safety and freedom of movement.
Nirmala Devi, homemaker in Barharia:
Tasleema Khatoon, boutique owner in Siwan town:
Yet concerns remain over the pace of welfare delivery:
- Delays in Ujjwala LPG refills
- Long waits for PM Awas Yojana housing approvals
- Gaps in maternal healthcare at PHCs
For many women, safety has improved, but economic and social mobility still depends on faster, more inclusive execution of welfare schemes.
The Business Class – Logistics Win, Lending Woes Continue
Small Traders and Shopkeepers
Siwan’s markets, from cloth merchants to vegetable sellers, welcomed the improved connectivity from the Vande Bharat route and better roads.
Santosh Prasad, textile wholesaler
But credit access and loan support remain major issues.
Farooq Alam, grocery store owner:
For many small business owners, physical infrastructure is only half the battle. Financial infrastructure—access to credit, digital payments, and faster GST refunds—remains underdeveloped.
The Farmers’ Dilemma – Roads Help, But Price Support is Lacking
Bihar’s farmers, particularly in districts like Siwan, are watching both state and central schemes carefully.
Pintu Singh, farmer in Raghunathpur:
Kisan Sabha volunteer:
Modi’s narrative of growth resonates—but the farm sector wants more structural reforms to complement the infrastructure rollout.
Opposition’s Ground Game – RJD and Congress Repositioning the Fight
While Modi’s Siwan rally was high-voltage and media-focused, RJD and Congress are quietly recalibrating their strategies.
Tejashwi Yadav’s Narrative Shift
Tejashwi has begun merging his economic pitch with social justice themes:
- Highlighting unemployment rates under BJP-JD(U) rule
- Accusing the Centre of withholding Bihar’s rightful funds
- Claiming the PM is using “fear politics” to avoid economic debates
His team has rolled out WhatsApp-based micro-campaigns, encouraging voters to ask:
Congress Strategy – Emotional + Constitutional
Congress is focusing on:
- Inflation
- Threat to democratic institutions
- Erosion of federalism (alleging Centre is ignoring state rights)
But their real challenge is mobilization—they lack BJP’s booth-level muscle and the RJD’s caste-voter cohesion.
Political Symbolism – Why Modi Invoked ‘Jungle Raj’ Now
Memory as a Campaign Tool
Political analysts believe Modi’s “Jungle Raj” remark wasn’t accidental—it was strategically designed to do three things:
- Reignite fear of a known past to anchor loyalty among floating voters
- Shift the debate from economy to law and order
- Force the opposition to play defense rather than propose alternatives
By speaking in emotional metaphors, Modi avoids hard data debates and moves the narrative to trust, history, and image—areas where the BJP has been more effective at shaping perception.
The Ground Awakens Before the Vote
PM Modi’s Siwan rally launched more than a train. It launched a campaign that blends emotion with execution, memory with mobility. But on the ground, voters are asking sharper questions.
- Will a fast train give me a fast-track job?
- Will big numbers translate into smaller bills and better homes?
- Will development be inclusive, or just impressive?
The BJP’s challenge is to sustain its infrastructure-led optimism, while the opposition must convert economic anxiety into political action. Either way, Siwan stands as a microcosm of Bihar’s larger electoral battleground—rich in symbolism, divided in memory, and restless for progress.the district read
Also Read : Bihar Boost: PM Modi to Launch Vande Bharat Express and Unveil ₹9,300 Crore Mega Projects
