Amit Shah says, 'Bihar will celebrate four Diwalis this year'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in Bihar. Pic/PTI

With just a few weeks left for Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are now trying to strengthen their hold across the state. In view of creating large-scale impact, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, during a rally in the state, said that this year, the people of Bihar will celebrate "four Diwalis", each representing a different achievement or promise, news agency ANI reported.

The Union Home Minister said the first reason is the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya, the second is Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's recently launched Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, and the third the next-gen goods and services (GST) reforms.

Shah said that the fourth Diwali will be celebrated after the BJP-NDA's victory and and forming of the government following the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, ANI reported.

"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. On 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," Shah said at the rally.

He also urged people to purchase only 'swadeshi' products this Diwali, amid the changes in the GST rate slabs, ANI reported.

Shah, throwing light on ‘swadeshi', said, "In this Diwali, we shall ensure whatever we purchase is Swadeshi. We have to resolve that."

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Modi launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana for Bihar via video-conferencing. During the programme, he directly transferred Rs 10,000 each into the bank accounts of 75 lakh women across the state, 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, who lauded the scheme and expressed gratitude to him and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

According to a statement from the PM's office, the Bihar Government initiative is aimed at making women 'aatmanirbhar (self-reliant)' as well as promoting women 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.

(With inputs from ANI)