NDA has turned Bihar into ‘market of labourers’: Rahul Gandhi
PATNA: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi intensified Sunday his attack on BJP and RSS, warning they were attempting to “steal votes” in the Bihar elections. Urging voters to stay alert at polling booths, he claimed NDA had “set its eyes on capturing Bihar” after forming govts in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh “through fraudulent means”. Addressing rallies in Begusarai and Khagaria, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha said: “BJP and RSS together have stolen election after election. They did it in four states, and now they want to do the same in Bihar. So be vigilant at polling booths and check the voters’ list carefully so that they don’t snatch your govt again.” Rahul alleged during EC’s SIR of electoral rolls, the names of thousands of people believed to be INDIA bloc supporters were deleted from voters’ lists. Calling on people to resist “vote chori” firmly, he said: “This is not just theft of votes but an attempt to reject the Constitution and murder the ideology of BRAmbedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. Stay vigilant and oppose it at every polling station.” Rahul also accused CM Nitish Kumar of losing control over his administration. “Nitish Kumar is CM only in name. Bihar is being run by three or four bureaucrats taking instructions from Delhi,” he said. He added that NDA had turned Bihar into a “market of labourers” over the past two decades, pushing young people to migrate in search of small jobs. Promising a reversal if INDIA bloc is elected to office, Rahul said his alliance would establish “the world’s best university in Bihar”, attracting students from across the world. “Education will be our first priority,” he said, asserting that a strong education system would stop mass migration. Renewing his jibe about Modi’s “56-inch chest”, Rahul alleged Operation Sindoor was halted under US pressure. “Courage isn’t measured by the size of a chest. Gandhi didn’t have a big chest, yet he wasn’t afraid. Many without big chests are brave. Others with 56-inch chests are cowards.” Taking on Union home minister Amit Shah, Rahul also said, he added: “(Home minister Amit) Shah says there’s no land in Bihar for industries, but he gave land to his industrialist friend in Bhagalpur at throwaway prices. This is BJP’s model of development.” Rahul also slammed economic decisions by PM Narendra the Modi’s govt, saying that policies like GST revisions and 2016 demonetisation were “crafted to destroy small traders and benefit big industrialists”. IMPROMPTU SPLASH: Rahul dived into a village pond to join fishermen in Begusarai on Sunday. He was accompanied by colleague Kanhaiya Kumar and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani. Rahul displayed his swimming skills as he helped the locals pull in their fishing nets Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Polls: 32% of First-Phase Candidates Face Criminal Cases, Says ADR Report
A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch has revealed that 32 percent of candidates contesting in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections have declared criminal cases against themselves. Out of these, 27 percent face serious charges such as murder, attempt to murder, and crimes against women. The analysis covered 1,303 out of 1,314 candidates who are contesting in the first phase of the elections scheduled for November 6 and November 11. The votes will be counted on November 14. According to the report, 423 candidates admitted to having criminal cases, while 354 are accused in serious offences. “Serious criminal cases are those that involve non-bailable offences, electoral crimes, or crimes such as murder, kidnapping, rape, or those punishable with at least five years in prison,” ADR said. Among the major political parties, 76 percent of Rashtriya Janata Dal candidates have criminal cases, followed by 65 percent from the BJP, 39 percent from JD(U), and 65 percent from Congress. In smaller parties, 93 percent of CPI(ML) Liberation candidates, 54 percent from LJP (Ram Vilas), and all candidates from CPI and CPI(M) have declared criminal records. The report also found that 33 candidates are accused in murder cases, 86 in attempted murder cases, and 42 in crimes against women, including two who face rape charges. ADR also highlighted the increasing influence of money in elections. About 40 percent of all candidates have declared assets worth over ₹1 crore. Among the major parties, 97 percent of RJD candidates are crorepatis, followed by 92 percent in BJP, 91 percent in JD(U), and 78 percent in Congress. Educational qualifications also vary widely. Around half of the candidates are graduates or have higher degrees, while 40 percent studied between Class 5 and Class 12. Only 9 percent of the total candidates are women. The watchdogs urged immediate action to curb the growing criminalisation of politics. “The Supreme Court of India, being the ultimate guardian of justice, should reprimand political parties for their complete lack of will and failure to act,” ADR said in a statement. The report recommended that candidates convicted of heinous crimes like murder, rape, smuggling, or kidnapping should be permanently disqualified. It also suggested disqualifying candidates charged with serious offences punishable by at least five years in jail if the case was filed six months before the election. ADR and National Election Watch further called for cancellation of tax benefits to political parties that field such candidates and demanded that all parties be brought under the Right to Information Act. “Any political party that knowingly gives a ticket to a tainted candidate should be deregistered and derecognised,” the report concluded. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kharge calling for RSS ban under Gandhi family’s pressure: Shobha
Bengaluru: Union minister Shobha Karandlaje Saturday accused AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge of demanding a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) under pressure from Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. “I respect Mallikarjun Kharge; he is a senior politician with vast experience. However, he is unable to think independently because of the influence of one family in his party. In his 50 years of political life, Kharge never made any statement against RSS,” she said, adding: “After listening to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Kharge has now started demanding a ban on the organisation… During the UPA govt, you (Kharege) were a Union minister, yet you never spoke against RSS. Why now? It’s appeasement politics to please a community.” Her remarks came amid the controversy over minister Priyank Kharge’s letter to the CM seeking a ban on RSS activities and action against officials linked to the organisation. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Muted tributes to Indira Gandhi in Punjab Congress raise questions
Chandigarh: While Congress units across the country paid floral tributes and organised remembrance events on the 40th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Punjab Congress appeared largely subdued, with only a few leaders posting brief messages on social media. The low-key observance has raised questions within party circles, with some attributing it to the ongoing Tarn Taran by-election. Barring Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and senior leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu, most senior figures of the state unit refrained from public tributes. Warring, while resharing Rahul Gandhi’s post on X, wrote, “Humble tributes to Smt. Indira Gandhi Ji on her death anniversary.” Ashu also posted a message that read, “Remembering the towering leader and first woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary.” Although an event was organised by the Punjab Congress at the party headquarters in Chandigarh, no senior leader was present, further underscoring the subdued nature of the observance. Expressing disappointment, Iqbal Singh Grewal, former National Secretary of the Indian Youth Congress and ex-NSUI Punjab President, posted a strongly worded message on X. “Indira Gandhi was not just a Congress leader — she was a symbol of decisive leadership and national strength. Her death anniversary should have been a day of remembrance, reflection, and inspiration for every Congress worker,” Grewal wrote. He said, “In Punjab, the silence was deafening — no major event, no visible tribute, and not even a clear ideological message from most senior leaders. When leadership seems detached from the party’s legacy, how can the cadre at the ground level stay ideologically driven?” Grewal said the Punjab Congress today suffers not from a lack of workers, but from a lack of direction from its senior leadership, arguing that the organisation’s failure to honour one of its most iconic leaders reflected a deeper disconnect between the top brass and the grassroots. Political observers believe the party’s muted response may have been influenced by the Tarn Taran Assembly by-election, and they also note that Indira Gandhi’s legacy in Punjab remains complex and often contradictory. While many regard her as a strong leader credited with shaping the modern political and economic framework of Punjab, others view her as a divisive figure, whose decisions, particularly Operation Blue Star in 1984 and its aftermath, left a lasting imprint on the state’s social and political landscape. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Elections 2025: 8 Key Constituency and Candidates to Watch in the Two-Phase Poll Battle
From Raghopur to Purnia, Bihar gears up for a fierce fight as top leaders of BJP, RJD, JD(U) and Congress face off in key constituencies ahead of the November 6 and 11 polls. The 2025 Bihar Assembly Election is scheduled to be held in two phases — the first on 6th November 2025 and the second on 11th November 2025. The counting will be done on 14th November 2025. The election will be held for the Bihar Legislative Assembly to elect all 243 members. The tenure of the current assembly will end on 22nd November 2025. Bihar is facing issues related to unemployment, migration, and electoral rolls, and the election at this time has made it stand out, with the whole country’s eyes on it. It would be interesting to see how the state’s huge population of youth shapes the outcome, as a major part of them are first-time voters. Political campaigns are mainly focusing on development, welfare schemes, and governance records. It would be an interesting contest, with one side being the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United), and the other side being the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Indian National Congress (INC). Raghopur Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav wearing a white kurta and giving interview to the press. Several mikes can be seen infront of him. Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav from RJD is contesting from Raghopur constituency for the third time.X The most talked-about constituency in the 2025 Assembly election of Bihar’s Vaishali district is Raghopur. Earlier, it was represented by Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi, highlighting the traditional stronghold of the Yadav family. Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav from RJD is contesting again, hoping for a third win. BJP’s Satish Kumar Yadav is his main rival in the constituency, whereas Chanchal Singh is contesting from the Jan Suraaj Party. The election will be a test of Tejashwi’s enduring influence on his own family’s political fort. Tarapur Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary wearing a grey Nehru coat and an orange shawl and giving speech standing before a mike. Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is contesting this time from the Tarapur constituency, bringing the region into focus.X The Munger district constituency will go to polls in the first phase of the 2025 Assembly election on 6th November 2025. Earlier, it was represented by Rajeev Kumar Singh of the JD(U), who won in the 2020 election. However, there may be a shift in power as Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Samrat Choudhary is contesting from Tarapur, bringing the region into focus. It falls under the Jamui Lok Sabha seat, with issues ranging from employment to road connectivity. It seems like the NDA has its eye on this area, and it will be interesting to see how the election develops. Lakhisarai Image of BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha facing the camera wearing a green Nehru jacket and wearing a shawl. He even has vermilion on his forehead. Vijay Kumar SInha from BJP has held the seat from the Lakhisarai constituency since 2010, and has geared up for this year election as well. https://dpl.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in/public/uploads/upload_files/125c0e943c73bb8a0840ab524fdcbd08.jpg (GODL-India), GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons Lakhisarai is all set to witness a high-profile contest in the 2025 Assembly election. This seat has been a stronghold for the BJP, as the party’s senior leader Vijay Kumar Sinha has held it since 2010. He will be facing Amaresh Kumar from Congress and Suraj Kumar from the Jan Suraaj Party this year. Sinha retained the seat in 2020 with over 74,000 votes, defeating Congress by a margin of 10,000 votes. It will be interesting to see if Sinha’s personal rapport helps him retain his leadership in the area. Mahua RJD’s Mukesh Kumar Raushan wearing a white kurta and covering his head by a white cloth and seeing sideways. Mukesh Kumar Raushan of the RJD is contesting from the Mahua constituency of the Vaishali district, he is currently representing the area. X The Vaishali district constituency has often drawn attention owing to its political legacy and high-profile candidates. The seat is currently held by Mukesh Kumar Raushan of the RJD, who won by a margin of 13,700 votes, defeating JD(U)’s Ashma Parveen. This year, Mahua will see a fierce competition among JD(U), BJP, and Jan Suraaj’s Indrajeet Pradhan. It has always remained a closely watched constituency with its changing local aspirations. Alinagar Singer Maithili Thakur posing for a picture by joining her hand in “Namaskar” and smiling. She is wearing a saree and has a shawl, standing before a gate. The folk singer Maithili Thakur is debuting from Alinagar which comes under Darbhanga Lok Sabha constituency, adding a touch of culture to the election. X The area comes under the Darbhanga Lok Sabha constituency, having a mix of Brahmin, Yadav, and Muslim voters. It gives equal importance to local alliances as well as caste equations. Mishri Lal Yadav won the seat from this constituency in the 2020 election; he was then with VIP and later joined BJP. This time, folk singer-turned-politician Maithili Thakur is contesting in this area. Frequent flooding and poor road conditions pose major challenges here. The parties are holding campaigns focused on development and better infrastructure. Hasanpur RJD’s Tej Pratap Yadav looking backward wearing a yellow cap and a white kurta and has tilak in his forehead. He is in a ralley and several people have joined him as seen in the picture. The Hasanpur constituency in Samastipur district is currently represented by RJD’s Tej Pratap Yadav, but this time, Mala Pushpam will be contesting from the seat on a BJD ticket.X Hasanpur is again in the spotlight ahead of the 2025 Assembly election, located in the Samastipur district. The constituency is represented by Tej Pratap Yadav of the RJD, who defeated Raj Kumar Ray of the JD(U). However, RJD has fielded Mala Pushpam for the upcoming battle, generating interest
Cong plans Pacgmarhi camp for dist leaders, Rahul invited
Bhopal: The State Congress is organising a ten-day training camp in Pachmarhi for the party’s newly appointed 72 organisational district presidents, starting from 2 November. State Congress President Jitu Patwari has sent an invitation to Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi to address the congregation on any day he is available during the training course. Initially, it was claimed that the Congress MP from Rae Bareli would address the Congress district presidents on 9 or 10 November after election campaigning comes to a halt in Bihar. However, sources in the state party office on Wednesday said that requests have been made for Rahul Gandhi to address the inaugural session in Pachmarhi on 2 November. But, the Lok Sabha LOP’s office has not confirmed his programme in Madhya Pradesh. PCC organisational general secretary Sanjay Kamle told TOI, “There is a possibility that the Lok Sabha LOP may come to the state either on 9 or 10 November. Campaigning in Bihar will come to an end on 8 November, after which he may come to address the training camp,” he said. Sanjay Kamle also added that the state Congress has requested the office of Rahul Gandhi to see if he can address the district presidents after campaigning stops for the first phase of Bihar elections on 3 November. State Congress vice-president Mahendra Joshi is the coordinator and in charge of the training camp. Speaking to TOI, he said, “The training camp will be for the district party presidents appointed during the Sangathan Srajan Abhiyan inaugurated by Rahul Gandhi in June. There are 72 organisational districts, including some city offices like Bhopal and Indore, which have one district president for rural areas and another for the city.” Joshi said that the district Congress presidents will be trained in various political aspects, social situations, organisational views, electoral rolls, the communalism factor, “false promises made by the ruling BJP and how to expose them to the people.” “After the training is completed, the district presidents will return to their work areas and utilise what they have been taught to train the grassroots workers at the district, assembly constituencies, blocks, mandal, sector, and panchayat levels,” Joshi said. “The focus of the training will be on how Congress workers can face the challenges of voter list manipulation by the rival political party, misinformation spread by them via technology, and how to make people aware of such tactics so they know the truth,” Mahendra Joshi argued. “Empowering our workers to spread information among people can come only with training,” he said. The district Congress presidents will be trained by party functionaries from Delhi and Bhopal, as well as political and academic experts. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
CM Yogi: Rahul’s entry in campaign is guarantee of NDA’s victory in Bihar
Lucknow: Taking potshots at Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said the Congress MP’s joining Bihar poll campaigning itself would ensure NDA’s victory. “Rahul Gandhi’s entry has happened in Bihar elections. This itself is the guarantee of BJP and NDA candidates’ victory. Whenever he campaigns, NDA’s victory becomes certain. He is the biggest guarantee of BJP and NDA’s victory,” he said during his three public meetings. At Siwan, Yogi warned people against the attempt by a mafia family to regain power in Bihar, giving the example of UP where he used the bulldozer to crush the mafia. “I came to Raghunathpur earlier because a dynastic mafia wants to capture power there again. In UP, we have crushed such mafiosos with bulldozers. No Marich and Subahu should be able to raise their heads again on the land of our Sita Maiya,” he said. He added that people across the world have acknowledged the intelligence and talent of Bihar’s youth which has been nurtured by the Nitish Kumar govt over the last 20 years. Promising that NDA would bring back the glory days of Chandragupta and Chanakya, the CM said during that era, India’s contribution to the world economy was 40% and the country was seen as a golden bird. “Foreign invaders destroyed Nalanda University, and their current descendants are using political Islam to obstruct development. The British forced the craftsmen, artisans and farmers to starve to death. As their heirs, Congress first created a crisis in Bihar and then obstructed development. Whatever was left to destroy, RJD completed it,” Yogi said. In Bhojpur, the CM hit out against Naxalism and said chants of ‘Lal Salaam’ would be replaced by ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and that communists were being wiped out not just in India but across the world. During a rally in Vaishali, he said if the Congress-RJD alliance was allowed to come to power, the era of mafia raj, loot and kidnapping would return to Bihar. “The INDIA bloc has come here to rob poor people’s rations. They are experienced in this kind of loot. They also stole fodder for cattle. These people will talk about the poor and will work to suppress them. They won’t give jobs but will grab land. They will force farmers to migrate. The mafia raj will create a crisis of identity and security,” he said. Targeting the Opposition, Yogi said RJD, CPI(ML) and Congress were birds of the same feather. They supported slavery, opposed India’s heritage, opposed the Ram temple in Ayodhya, opposed Sita’s temple in Sitamarhi, divided Indians, and tried to create riots before festivals. “Earlier, the road to Kashi Vishwanath temple was very narrow, but now 50,000 people can have darshan together. More than 10 lakh devotees have darshan together in Kashi and Ayodhya. Congress used to say that Ram never existed. RJD used to stop Ram temple’s chariot. SP people used to fire on Ram devotees and communists think about some other world. Those who do not accept Ram are of no use to us. Those opposing Ram are opposing the nation. Those opposing the nation are of no use to us. They need to be shown the way out of the nation,” the CM said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘It was raining …’: Congress recalls Indira Gandhi’s 1977 Bihar visit; posts pics of her on elephant
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on the 41st anniversary of Indira Gandhi’s assassination remembered the former prime minister’s “uncommon grit, courage, perseverance, and resilience,” recalling her 1977 visit to Belchhi in Bihar. Ramesh, in a post on X, said, “Today, the nation recalls the indomitable Indira Gandhi and pays tribute on the 41st anniversary of her martyrdom. She was a person of uncommon grit, courage, perseverance, and resilience.” He recounted how on a rainy August 13, 1977, Gandhi travelled through difficult terrain — “first by car, jeep, and tractor and then rode on an elephant to the remote village of Belchhi” — to meet families devastated by caste atrocities. Calling it an “extraordinary and spontaneous outreach,” Ramesh wrote that the visit “marked her political revival.” Belchhi, in Nalanda district, had witnessed one of Bihar’s worst caste massacres earlier that year, and Gandhi’s visit to console the Dalit victims was widely seen as a turning point that reignited her connection with the masses after her electoral defeat in 1977. Ramesh added that a day later, Gandhi met her “then-bitterest political critic and adversary Jayaprakash Narayan in Patna,” recalling their “deep personal association over a period of four decades.” He also shared archival images of Gandhi riding the elephant through muddy fields to reach Belchhi. At Delhi’s Shakti Sthal, Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge paid floral tributes to the former prime minister. “India’s Indira – Fearless, resolute, and steadfast in the face of every power,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, saying her “courage, compassion, and patriotism” continue to inspire him. Kharge described her as the “Iron Lady of India” and said her “resolute commitment to India’s progress and unity remains in our hearts and minds.” Indira Gandhi, India’s first woman prime minister, served from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination on October 31, 1984. She was born on November 19, 1917. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘What does he know’: Tejashwi’s brother Tej Pratap slams Rahul Gandhi over Chhath remark; cites his abroad trips
NEW DELHI: Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) chief and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, on Thursday, attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, over his “drama,” remarks on Chhath Puja. “What drama? What does he (Congress MP Rahul Gandhi) know about Chhath Puja? Has he ever done Chhath?” Tej Pratap said, questioning Gandhi’s understanding of the festival. Going further, Tej Pratap cited the Congress leader’s foreign trips, “he is someone who goes abroad. What will he know about Chhath?” His remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi, while reacting to the Prime Minister’s participation in the Chhath ceremony on the Yamuna, mocked the exercise and said, “They staged a drama and showed the truth of India… The Yamuna has dirty water. If someone drank it, they would either get sick or die. No one can go inside.” The controversy has quickly escalated amid the background of elections in Bihar. Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had jointly launched the INDIA bloc’s election campaign in the state on Wednesday. The BJP also criticised Rahul’s comments, accusing the Congress of insulting the sacred festival. Union home minister Amit Shah asked voters to respond strongly to the remarks. “For Congress and RJD, the worship of Chhathi Maiyya is a drama and ‘nautanki’. Do you agree with them? Will you punish them or not?” Shah said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, slammed Congress and RJD, saying, “Congress and RJD are insulting Chhathi Maiyya. Can anyone insult Chhathi Maiyya for votes in the election? Will the people of Bihar and the country tolerate this?…” Meanwhile, Tej Pratap Yadav expressed confidence about his prospects in the upcoming elections. Contesting again from Mahua, he said he enjoys strong public support and dismissed competition. He stated that the outcome rests entirely with the electorate, noting that the “real power lies with the voters” and that the people of Bihar will deci de who forms the next government. Bihar goes to the polls in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with counting scheduled for November 14. This year’s contest is shaping up as a three-way fight between the ruling NDA, the INDIA bloc led by Tejashwi Yadav, and new players such as Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj and Tej Pratap’s JJD, both hoping to reshape the state’s political landscape. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
If INDIA bloc wins, Nalanda to get world’s best varsity: Rahul
Patna: Raking up the issue of “vote chori” in Bihar, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that the NDA govt at the Centre was formed through poll rigging during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and urged voters to remain vigilant to prevent a repeat of such practices in the state polls. “Agar vote-chori nahin ki hoti toh INDIA gathbandhan ki sarkar Hindustan me raj kar rahi hoti (If there had been no poll rigging, the INDIA bloc govt would be ruling at the Centre),” Rahul said while addressing rallies in Nalanda and Sheikhpura. He alleged that the NDA had been “frequently winning elections due to poll rigging”, adding, “Yet, they barely managed to win the last General Election even after stealing votes.” The Congress leader said if the INDIA bloc came to power in Bihar, it would establish “the world’s best university” in Nalanda, restoring the ancient seat of learning to its former global glory. Recalling Bihar’s historical significance, Rahul promised that the state would once again emerge as a “global centre of knowledge and education” under an INDIA bloc govt. Promising representation for all sections of society, Rahul said, “Each caste and religion will have a place in our government. Hatred can’t advance the state; love is beneficial.” He added that only unity and compassion could take Bihar forward, not division or fear. Targeting the NDA over the recurring paper leak scandals, he said, “Nalanda, which once attracted scholars from across the world, has now become known for question paper leaks. Youths study hard and dream of jobs, but their hopes are dashed when papers are leaked and someone else walks away with the job.” Rahul said that as long as PM Narendra Modi and the NDA remained in power, India’s youth would continue to face unemployment. “Important public sectors like defence, airports, railways, roads, and solar or wind power — which once generated lakhs of jobs — have either been privatised or shut down,” he said. Accusing the ruling coalition of centralised control, he said, “The current govt is run by Modi, Amit Shah, and Nagpur (RSS), while Nitish Kumar is merely a mask. Modi presses the button, and Nitish plays to his tune.” Rahul said the INDIA bloc would “change all this” and form a “people’s govt” in Bihar. The Rae Bareli MP also criticised the PM for not responding to former US President Donald Trump’s claims about intervening to prevent India-Pakistan conflicts. “The US President insulted our PM several times, but he kept avoiding him. Modi does not have the courage to say that Trump is lying,” Rahul said, challenging the PM to clarify the issue before the people of Bihar. “Instead of confronting Trump, Modi is busy stealing votes and manipulating elections to undermine the Constitution of Dr BR Ambedkar,” Rahul alleged. Urging voters to remain alert, he said, “They could go for poll rigging till the last minute… Unko chhodna nahin (Don’t leave them).” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights