Patna (Bihar) [India], October 19 (ANI): Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya on Sunday hit back at the NDA's 'jungle raj' jibe, claiming acute poverty and a rise in crime under the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar.

Speaking to ANI, Bhattacharya termed the NDA regime as 'Maha jungle raj', claiming that 94.5 lakh families in Bihar survive on a monthly income of less than Rs 6,000.

Alleging 'worst' crime rate in the State, he said, 'Crime is at its worst today. Killing in hospital to killing of a trader, rapes...people say if that was 'jungle raj', we are in a 'maha jungle raj'.'

'People have been listening to development for 20 years, but there is acute poverty. The government's own survey says 94.5 lakh families survive on a monthly income of less than Rs 6000. The government promised Rs 2 lakh assistance to these families, which was never done,' he added.

Further, he added that development in Bihar is limited to flyovers and bypasses, while roads are in 'bad shape'.

'There is so much migration and unemployment in the State. This is development without jobs and improvement in the standard of living. Once you get down the flyover in Patna, you find it (roads) is in very bad shape. The tall claims of development do not mislead people. I call the Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development model a 'flyover bypass model',' the CPI(ML) leader said.

Dipankar Bhattacharya's remarks come after a recurring 'jungle raj' jibe from the BJP leaders against the RJD and the Mahagathbandhan, ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.

Earlier on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on RJD supremo and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav, saying that the 15-year 'jungle raj' of Lalu-Rabri pushed Bihar back by almost half a century, adding that Bihar lost its dignity, splendour, and excellence during the same time.

Shah, in a veiled attack on Tejashwi Yadav, said the same 'jungle-raj' is in front of the people of Bihar today, with new faces and asking for votes.

Addressing the Intellectuals Conference in Bihar's Patna, Shah stated, 'What era was that, in which Bihar became a sick state. In the 15 years of jungle rule alone, Bihar lost its pride, wealth, and knowledge. During the 15-year period of jungle raj, Bihar had lost all its dignity, splendour, and excellence of every kind. Imagine how those 15 years must have been... The period in which Bihar's reputation declined.'

Meanwhile, polling for the Bihar elections 2025 will take place on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14. (ANI)