Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the NDA’s Lok Sabha election campaign on Thursday from Bihar’s Jamui constituency.

He addressed a rally in Jamui while campaigning for Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan, who recently joined the alliance.

PM Modi highlighted India’s economic progress over the last decade and reiterated the government’s vision to build a ‘Viksit Bharat (developed India).

“Today, we are showing the way to the world…the whole world is watching us. How did our global profile and prestige rise by leaps and bounds? Today, we are the fifth-largest global economy,” he said.

Recalling LJP founder and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, PM Modi said: “We are all feeling his loss today. This is the first election where Bihar’s proud son and Padma Bhushan recipient Ram Vilas Paswan ji is not among us. However, I am happy that my younger brother Chirag Paswan is carrying forward the ideas and vision of his father with absolute seriousness and devotion,” he said.

PM Modi credited NDA for spearheading development efforts in Bihar. “What happened in the last 10 years is just a trailer, as there’s plenty more to be done. We all have to come together to take the country forward,” he said.

Polling will be held in seven phases in Bihar, with the first phase scheduled on April 19 and the last on June 1.

(With ANI inputs)