With the Bihar Assembly elections drawing closer, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a charged address to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Patna on Wednesday, urging them to draw inspiration from the state's rich history and gear up for a decisive victory.

Speaking at the BJP state executive meeting, Singh highlighted the growing trust deficit in Indian politics over the years but said the BJP has consistently worked to bridge the gap between promises and delivery.

"In post-independence India, public trust in politicians declined because of the growing difference between what was promised and what was done. But if there’s one party that accepted this challenge and turned it into a mission, it is the Bharatiya Janata Party," Singh said, addressing hundreds of party members.

He reiterated that the BJP had fulfilled key promises made during previous election campaigns and reminded attendees that the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi still has four years remaining—signalling more accomplishments ahead.

Singh also shared his recent experience at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meeting, where he took the opportunity to highlight Bihar’s cultural legacy. The backdrop of the SCO meeting featured Nalanda University, a historic symbol of India’s academic prowess rooted in Bihar. As a gesture of goodwill, Singh presented his Chinese counterpart with a traditional Madhubani painting titled “Tree of Life.”

Drawing a symbolic connection, the Defence Minister remarked, “Just like the Tree of Life reflects strength and growth, BJP is a vast tree whose roots are the lakhs of dedicated workers. You are not just workers; you are the life force of the party.”

He also invoked Bihar’s intellectual and spiritual legacy, referencing ancient figures like Samrat Ashoka, Chanakya, and Aryabhatta, calling Patna a land of knowledge and wisdom. “This is the land from where Chanakya shaped the principles of politics and where Aryabhatta gave the world the gift of astronomical science. It is time for BJP workers to follow in their footsteps and reshape Bihar’s future,” he said.

With state elections expected in October or November, Singh's speech served as both a morale booster and a call to action. He urged party workers to treat the meeting not just as a political event but as a pledge to take Bihar forward. “This is not a routine gathering; it is a resolution—one that will lead to a prosperous and golden Bihar,” he declared.

Currently, the BJP holds a strong position in the Bihar Assembly with 80 MLAs and remains the largest party in the NDA alliance, which collectively holds 131 of the 243 seats.