Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Bhagalpur, Bihar, on Monday to release the 19th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. This initiative continues the government’s commitment to the welfare and financial stability of farmers across India. The visit will also include a public rally at the Airport Ground, marking a crucial political moment ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
PM-KISAN and Farmer Welfare
PM Modi’s visit to Bhagalpur will be highlighted by the release of the latest PM-KISAN instalment, a scheme that has provided crucial financial assistance to millions of farmers since its inception in 2019. The Kisan Samman Nidhi program provides eligible farmers with direct financial benefits of ₹6,000 per year in three equal instalments. The upcoming release will further reinforce the government’s emphasis on agricultural development and rural prosperity.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will accompany the Prime Minister during the event, which is expected to witness the participation of approximately five lakh farmers. This large-scale gathering signals the growing significance of farmer-centric policies as a pivotal issue in the upcoming elections.
Political Significance Ahead of Bihar Elections
As Bihar gears up for its assembly elections later this year, PM Modi’s visit carries significant political weight. The BJP, along with its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is confident of securing over 200 seats, capitalizing on the double-engine government led by Modi at the Centre and Nitish Kumar in the state. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain emphasized the party’s stronghold, drawing parallels to its recent electoral success in Delhi.
The NDA coalition in Bihar includes the BJP, Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustan Awam Morcha, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. With this alliance, the BJP aims to consolidate its position against the opposition, which primarily consists of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress.
Opposition’s Criticism of Modi’s Visit
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has dismissed the Prime Minister’s visit as politically motivated, alleging that Modi’s interest in Bihar surfaces only during election seasons. Yadav raised concerns over the lack of central support for Bihar’s development, particularly pointing out the government’s failure to grant Patna University Central University status despite 11 years in power.
“PM Modi, his ministers, and BJP leaders only visit Bihar whenever elections are around the corner. If he couldn’t grant Central University status to Patna University in over a decade, what real progress can we expect?” said Tejashwi Yadav.
Meanwhile, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav also downplayed the BJP’s influence in Bihar, arguing that the party has little chance of forming a government in the state. Lalu Yadav dismissed the impact of the recent Delhi election results on Bihar’s political landscape, reinforcing his belief that the people of Bihar have grown wary of the BJP’s promises.
Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: The Road Ahead
The Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, covering all 243 constituencies, are scheduled to take place in October or November 2025. The last assembly elections, held in 2020, resulted in an NDA victory, with Nitish Kumar retaining his position as Chief Minister.
As political parties intensify their campaigns, PM Modi’s Bhagalpur rally is expected to set the tone for the BJP’s election strategy in Bihar. With major opposition figures like Tejashwi Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav rallying against the BJP, the upcoming elections promise a heated contest between the ruling alliance and the opposition forces.
While the NDA hopes to showcase governance achievements such as PM-KISAN and infrastructural development, the opposition will likely focus on unresolved issues, regional disparities, and concerns about Bihar’s development trajectory under BJP-JD(U) rule. As the state prepares for yet another political showdown, PM Modi’s visit to Bhagalpur will be a crucial milestone in shaping the electoral discourse in Bihar
