Rahul Gandhi turns 55… A look at the political challenges from his entry into politics
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has turned 55, whose political journey started from Amethi in 2004. He raised the issues of social justice through ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ and tried to strengthen the party. New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi turns 55 today. Rahul is currently the leading face of the country’s oldest political party, the Indian National Congress. Born on 19 June 1970 as a descendant of the Nehru-Gandhi family, Rahul Gandhi started his political journey with the Indian National Congress (Congress) in 2004. His journey has been full of ups and downs. In this, he has tried to strengthen the party and raise public issues. Political journey started from Amethi in 2004 Rahul Gandhi’s political career began in 2004, when he contested and won the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. The seat had been a family stronghold for his father Rajiv Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi. In his early innings, he focused on youth and rural development. He was appointed as the general secretary of the Congress in 2007 and as the party’s vice-president in 2013. In 2017, he took over as the party president, which was the peak of his political ambition. His ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ (2022-23) and ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ (2024) highlighted the issues of unity and social justice in the country. Focused on Youth Congress Rahul Gandhi’s biggest achievement has been his people-centric initiatives. The ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ covered a distance of about 4,000 kilometers across the country and spread the message of love against hate. The journey helped strengthen the Congress organizationally. This also affected the party’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He brought about reforms in the Youth Congress and the National Student Union (NSUI) and significantly increased the membership of these organizations. His firmness on issues such as the withdrawal of agricultural laws (2021) and reduction in GST rates played a role in strengthening the opposition. Apart from this, he brought issues like unemployment, farmers’ problems and social justice to the national debate. Lost MP seat due to conviction in defamation case However, Rahul Gandhi’s journey was not untouched by challenges. Congress’s defeat in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections raised questions about his leadership ability. The defeat at the hands of Smriti Irani from Amethi in 2019 was seen as his personal defeat. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party was reduced to just 52 seats. After this, he resigned from the post of president, taking moral responsibility. His ‘Pappu’-like image and allegations of dynasty politics affected his popularity. Media and BJP criticism constantly targeted him. There was a lot of controversy especially on his statement like ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’. In 2023, his biggest political challenge was his two-year sentence in a defamation case and disqualification from the Lok Sabha. However, the Supreme Court put a stay on it. Despite all this, his educational background (studied at Harvard and Cambridge) and efforts to connect with the public gave him a chance to stand up again. The challenge of getting Congress back its lost ground Rahul Gandhi is again in an active role in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He is trying to revive the Congress. He is a prominent face of the opposition alliance ‘INDIA’ block. Although critics consider him an indecisive, indecisive and weak leader, for his supporters he is the hope to protect democracy. Rahul has tried to improve his image and connect with the public amid criticism. The challenges before Rahul Gandhi have been testing his leadership ability and image. Now it remains to be seen how strongly he emerges in Indian politics going forward. Will he be able to get Congress back its lost political ground. In future, their strategy and the role of the opposition will decide the direction of the country’s politics. Edited by: Anil Kumar About the author Anil Kumar Anil has been active in the media industry for more than a decade. His journey started with reporting from Dainik Jagran Chandigarh in 2009 and has reached NavbharatTimes.com via Dainik Bhaskar, Rajasthan Patrika, Amar Ujala, Jansatta.com. He is originally from Bihar but has studied in Delhi. Courtesy: Hindi News
Congress’s new plan to attract youth, will start on Rahul Gandhi’s birthday
The youth wing of Congress is organizing a huge job fair in Delhi on June 19, which aims to provide employment opportunities to the youth. More than 100 companies will participate in this fair organized on Rahul Gandhi’s birthday. New Delhi: Congress has been constantly cornering the Modi government on the issue of unemployment. It questions the government about the promise of two crore jobs every year. In such a situation, the youth wing of Congress, Youth Congress, has planned to organize a big job fair at Talkatora Stadium in the capital Delhi today on June 19. Youth Congress has planned to organize this event on the occasion of the birthday of its leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. More than 100 companies will participate This information was shared by Youth Congress National President Uday Bhanu Chib, where he told that more than 100 companies from all over the country will participate in this fair and will bring opportunities for the youth. On the other hand, Delhi Youth Congress President Akshay Lakra said that this will be the biggest job fair in Delhi-NCR. According to sources, Congress has started preparations to attract youth not only in Delhi but across the country through organizing employment fairs. On Thursday, all the big leaders of Congress will gather on the occasion of Maharojgar Mela. Many young faces like Sachin Pilot, Imran Pratapgarhi to Kanhaiya Kumar will gather. It is said that Congress will not limit this event to this. It is planning to organize such fairs in ten states where elections are likely in the coming days. The event will be organized first in Bihar Among these, the first will be organized in Bihar. After that, elections are to be held in Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Tamil Nadu and Puducherry next year. While elections are to be held in Goa, UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Manipur in the year 2027. In fact, Congress is not only constantly talking about employment, but Rahul Gandhi is also going to different parts and meeting the youth and students and talking about their problems. Also, Congress is talking about providing employment to the youth in its election manifesto. In such a situation, Congress will also try to attract the youth through employment fairs in these states. Youth will get offer letter However, regarding the fair to be held in Delhi on Thursday, Udaybhan Chib said that earlier a similar employment fair was organized in Rajasthan, in which a large number of youth got opportunities. Through this fair, the youth of Delhi will get a chance to interview directly with the companies. At the same time, many youth can also get offer letter on the same day. While Yagyavalkya Srikant Jichkar, associated with Youth Congress, said that companies from many sectors like IT, manufacturing, pharma, retail and banking are coming to this employment fair. There will be companies for every educational qualification, whether 12th pass or PhD. At present, more than 10 thousand online registrations have been done and the number of offline registrations is also close to 8 thousand. ‘Always raised the voice of the unemployed’ While Chib said that this job fair is not limited to just jobs, but blood donation camps, health camps and seminars on caste census are also being organized in it. He said that Rahul Gandhi has always raised the voice of unemployed youth and the issue of caste census is also in discussion today due to his hard work. Congress said that the purpose of the event is not only to provide employment to the youth, but also to spread awareness in the society and strengthen the sense of service. Reported by: Manjari Chaturvedi•Edited by: Anil Kumar Courtesy : Hindi News
Bihar Commission Suggests Age Relaxation And Welfare Measures For Upper Caste Poor In Govt Jobs | Details
The newly formed commission for the development of upper castes in Bihar held its first meeting, advocating for age relaxation in government jobs for economically weaker sections among the upper castes. The commission also discussed the need for hostels and coaching facilities at the district level for students from economically weaker sections. Sub-committees have been formed to explore these issues further and examine the caste-based census report to determine how age relaxation can be implemented. In its first official meeting, the Bihar State Commission for the Development of Upper Castes recommended that economically weaker candidates from upper castes should be granted age relaxation in government job recruitment, similar to the provisions available for other backward classes. The meeting was chaired by commission member Dr Mahachandra Prasad Singh and attended by Vice President Rajiv Ranjan Prasad and other members. A three-member sub-committee led by member Rajkumar Singh has been formed to review the caste-based census data and suggest possible measures for extending age relaxation to the upper caste poor. Additionally, two other sub-committees have been set up: one under the chairmanship of Jai Krishna Jha to assess the feasibility of constructing hostels at the district level for economically backward students, and another under Dayanand Rai to explore the need for government-supported coaching facilities for job aspirants from the same category. The commission acknowledged that economically weaker individuals from upper castes often face limited opportunities and emphasised the need to extend facilities currently provided under economic reservation to this segment as well. Courtesy : Kamakshi Bishnoi, The Daily Jagran Note: This news is originally published on https:/thedailyjagran.com/ and is for use by the non military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Naidu govt approves 10-hr workdays, night shifts for women in bid to attract more industry, investment
The amendment bills are expected to be introduced in the next assembly session. Hyderabad: The Chandrababu Naidu government, under the slogan ‘Speed of Doing Business’, has decided to extend minimum working hours for private employees, while also allowing women to work in night shifts, in a major labour reform move. The extended work hour rules will also apply to shops and establishments in Andhra Pradesh, meaning the IT sector too. In a bid “to reduce procedural compliance burden on industrial establishments” and thereby attract new industries, investments into the state, the Naidu cabinet has approved amendments to labour laws to extend daily working hours to 10 from present 9. According to Section 54 of the Factories Act, 1948, no adult worker “is required or allowed to work in a factory for more than nine hours in any day”. The Naidu government has also proposed to increase the interval for rest to 6 hours from the current 5. Going for further amendments in the same law, the Naidu government has decided to let women work night shifts. Section 66 (1) (b) of the Factories Act states that “no woman shall be required or allowed to work in any factory except between the hours of 6 pm and 7 pm.” “But now, women may work during night time with safeguards like consent, transport, security etc., facilities and under CCTV surveillance in well-lit areas,” Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy told reporters after the cabinet meeting last Wednesday at Amaravati. “The facilitation would allow women’s higher work participation in the organised sector, major industries, and corporate areas. It empowers women economically and promotes gender inclusion in industrial growth,” he added. The total number of overtime work hours in a quarter—currently restricted to 75—can now go up to 144. “Through these amendments, we are adopting global best practices. If the labour laws, regulations are convenient for workers and investors, businesses will come here naturally,” said Kolusu, adding that the relaxations are being brought under the government’s push for ease of doing business in AP. The cabinet thus approved proposals from the Labour, Factory Boilers & Insurance Medical Services Department to amend certain provisions of sections 54, 55, 56, 59, 64, 65, 66 of the Factories Act through the Andhra Pradesh Factories Act Amendment Bill, 2025, and certain provisions of sections 9, 10, 16, 17, 73 of the AP Shops and Establishments Act, 1988, through the AP Shops and Establishments Amendment Bill, 2025. The amendment bills are expected to be introduced in the next assembly session. However, industrialists are divided on the proposed changes. “In manufacturing sectors, you cannot expect an employee to operate for long hours as the hard work tires them by 6-7 hours, bringing down efficiency thereafter. A worker losing focus is not good, posing dangers of industrial mishap or productivity losses,” Lakshmi Prasad Mekala, MD, Sujay Biotech, told ThePrint. “Of course, the easing will be beneficial to other sectors like marketing, sales, small businesses, and those under the Shops and Establishments Act,” Mekala, past chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry Andhra Pradesh, added. Courtesy : Prasad Nichenametla, The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/ and is for use by the non military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Delhi: Indian Youth Congress to organise mega job fair on Rahul Gandhi’s birthday
The Indian Youth Congress will be organising a job fair in New Delhi tomorrow (June 19), on the occasion of Rahul Gandhi’s birthday. IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib, while criticising the Central government over unemployment, said that over 100 companies would conduct on-spot interviews and offer jobs. “BJP’s figures are saying that unemployment is the highest in the last 50 years. So currently Congress is not governing the centre, so that we can have policies for government jobs, but this is our effort that more than 100 private companies will come, and the youth can get offer letters on the spot after the interview. People whose registration is not yet complete can also come here and do on-spot registration,” Chib told ANI. Chib mentioned that people who have just passed their 12th class or even postgraduates are eligible to participate in the job fair. “Those who have passed the 10th to 12th grades can also come, all types of companies will be coming here. Whether it is a graduate, undergraduate or postgraduate, there is a job for them. I urge people to come to Talkatora stadium and participate.” The job fair is set to happen at Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium on June 19. The IYC claims that the job fair will bring together over 100 companies and MNCs, which will offer over 5000 jobs to the people. Earlier on June 17, Chib mentioned that apart from organising job fairs, other events will also be held in various states on the occasion of Rahul Gandhi’s birthday. IYC is also going to hold blood donation camps and seminars on the caste census. “There will be joint job fairs, and apart from that, there will be blood donation camps and in multiple states, seminars on caste census will be held. We know that the issue of the caste census has been raised because of Rahul Gandhi. Th lying BJP also had to agree that they will conduct a caste census, when they do that, then we will see,” Chib said in a press conference earlier. As the IYC president continued his attack at the centre over the caste census, he added, “Even the BJP had to agree that caste census is necessary, when they didn’t believe in it and opposed it. When Congress government comes in, then the real caste census will be conducted, which will benefit the people.” The Central government on June 16 notified the Population census, the process of which will begin in March 2027. Along with the population enumeration exercise, the caste census will be conducted too. The census will be in 2 phases; With phase 1 collecting House Listing Operation (HLO), the housing conditions, assets and amenities of each household. In the second phase, Population Enumeration (PE), the demographic, socioeconomic, cultural and other details of every person in each household will be collected. In the Census, Caste enumeration will also be done. For Census activities, about 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors and around 1.3 lakh Census functionaries would be deployed. This is the 16th Census since its beginning and the 8th since independence. The ensuing Census will be conducted through digital means using mobile applications. Provision of Selfenumeration would also be made available to the people. Courtesy : TET Note: This news is originally published on https:/theeconomictimes.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Election Commission’s big step regarding Bihar elections, will Rahul Gandhi’s confusion be cleared now?
Bihar Chunav News: After Rahul Gandhi’s allegation of lack of transparency in voting, the Election Commission has taken a big step regarding Bihar elections. Bihar elections will be the first election in the country in which there will be 100 percent webcasting. Patna: The Election Commission has made webcasting mandatory at all polling stations ahead of Bihar elections. This decision has been taken to bring transparency in the election process and increase monitoring. Now there will be webcasting at 100% polling stations instead of 50%. The Election Commission (ECI) has directed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states and union territories to do webcasting at all polling stations. Webcasting includes live video recording and monitoring. The Election Commission said in an announcement on Monday, ‘The Commission has issued instructions to use several citizen measures to monitor various stages of the election process. This also includes webcasting on the day of polling. It is an internal management tool to prevent the election process from getting spoiled.’ Bihar elections first state where 100% webcasting Bihar will be the first state where 100% webcasting will be implemented. Assembly elections in Bihar are expected to be held in October or November this year. The Election Commission has said that webcasting will be done in areas where there is internet connectivity. The poll panel said in a message to all state chief electoral officers, ‘It has been decided that webcasting will be done at all polling stations, i.e. 100% polling stations with internet connectivity. However, in shadow areas, proper arrangements for videography photography etc. may be made.’ Till now webcasting was mostly done at important polling stations. Earlier, webcasting was done at 50% polling stations and important polling stations. The aim was to ensure that the voting process was not spoiled. Webcasting monitoring control rooms to be created In December last year, the government had changed an election rule. Under this change, certain electronic documents such as CCTV camera and webcasting footage, as well as video recordings of candidates, were barred from public inspection. This was done so that these are not misused. Based on the recommendation of the EC, the Union Law Ministry amended Rule 93 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. The purpose of this amendment was to restrict the type of papers or documents open for public inspection. How will webcasting be done at polling stations? There will be a webcasting monitoring control room at the state level, district level and AC level. It will be monitored by a nodal officer appointed at each level. The nodal officer will be responsible for ensuring the following for the smooth functioning and monitoring of webcasting on the polling day. EC’s decision after questions raised by Rahul Gandhi This decision comes at a time when Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has demanded that the EC release CCTV footage of polling day in Maharashtra. Earlier this month, he had alleged that there was ‘match-fixing’ in the 2024 Maharashtra elections and demanded that the EC release video footage of voting after 5 pm. The Mahayuti alliance, which comprises the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), secured 235 of the 288 assembly seats. Of these, the BJP alone won 132 seats, its best performance in the state’s history. However, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) used the five-stage model to undermine the democratic process in the state. After Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, the pressure on the Election Commission to maintain transparency had increased. The decision of 100% webcasting is believed to be a result of this pressure. Now it remains to be seen how much this decision improves the election process. The Election Commission has also said that webcasting data will be used only for internal purposes. This means that this data will not be publicly available. However, the Election Commission can use this data for investigation if needed. About the author Abhishek Kumar I work in NavbharatTimes.com. Journalism is both my hobby and profession. I have had the good fortune of doing journalism while working in prestigious institutions like DLA, Aaj Samaj, Dainik Bhaskar, Amar Ujala, Hindustan, Network18, NDTV, ZEE Media. It is my nature to write fearlessly on contemporary events and learn new technology…. Courtesy : Hindi News
Rahul’s vision of social justice to reflect in UP block and nyay panchayat, says Pande
Lucknow: As part of its ongoing organisation-building campaign, the UP Congress will strengthen the block-level network across all 823 blocks of the state. They will also work to create units at the level of the Nyay Panchayats. AICC in charge for UP, Avinash Pande, who issued the instructions, said, “Understanding grassroots issues from the grassroots level, such as block and Nyay Panchayat level, will enable us to fight for public interests against the anti-people BJP govt.” He also said that the organisational units at the block and Nyay Panchayat will reflect Rahul Gandhi’s vision of social justice, where every section of society must get a place in the party hierarchy. State president Ajay Rai said that by connecting workers at the block level, the party can perform better in panchayat and assembly elections. He stressed the importance of addressing key issues related to Bundelkhand and fighting for the people at the grassroots level. He also instructed all coordinators to establish coordination with senior Congress leaders and workers in their respective areas to achieve the goals of the organisation creation campaign within the set timeframe. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Why is Prashant firing ‘shells’ on Rahul instead of Lalu? Is there any sign of a big stir in Bihar politics?
It is an election year in Bihar, so political shells are being fired on anything. Prashant Kishore challenged Rahul Gandhi to criticize Lalu Yadav for insulting Ambedkar. Patna/Muzaffarpur: Former election strategist Prashant Kishore claimed that the Congress has made itself a stooge of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar. He challenged Rahul Gandhi to criticize Lalu Prasad Yadav for keeping Ambedkar’s statue (photo) near his feet. Prashant Kishore’s new party ‘Jan Suraj’ wants to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Prashant Kishore was talking to the media in Muzaffarpur. Challenge to Rahul on Ambedkar photo controversy Responding to a question about Congress’ prospects, Kishore said, ‘Congress has limited itself to being a stooge of RJD in Bihar. Earlier the state Congress was grateful to Lalu Prasad, now it is the turn of Tejashwi Yadav (Lalu’s younger son and his potential successor). I ask Rahul Gandhi to do one small thing to prove me wrong. He should just issue a statement criticizing Lalu Prasad for keeping Ambedkar’s picture near his feet.’ What is the Ambedkar photo controversy related to Lalu? Actually, on June 11, 2025, RJD chief Lalu Yadav celebrated his 78th birthday. On June 14, a video surfaced in which Lalu Yadav is sitting on a chair. He is keeping his feet on another chair in front. Meanwhile, a supporter comes with Ambedkar’s picture in his hand. Starts getting photographed with Lalu Yadav. The way the photo has been taken, it seems that Ambedkar’s picture is near Lalu Yadav’s feet. Now there is a political controversy over this. On this whole matter, Prashant Kishore is firing political shells at Rahul Gandhi. Prashant Kishor is raining political shells on Rahul Prashant Kishor targeted the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha and said that he never attacked the Chief Minister of Congress-ruled Telangana who had mocked the people of Bihar and said that doing small jobs (labor) is in their DNA. The founder of Jan Suraj Party also demanded the resignation of the state Health Minister and senior BJP leader Mangal Pandey over the recent death of a minor Dalit girl from Muzaffarpur. The victim died a few days after being brutally sexually assaulted. Tiff with Bihar minister Ashok Chaudhary too Prashant Kishor also targeted senior minister and Janata Dal-United (JDU) national general secretary Ashok Chaudhary. Ashok Chaudhary has filed a case against him for the allegation that his (Ashok Chaudhary’s) daughter Shambhavi, who is an MP from Samastipur, got a ticket from Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) after money transaction. The founder of Jan Suraj Party alleged, ‘Ashok Chaudhary and his daughter should tell the people of Bihar what they have done for Dalits? They have always used their Dalit identity for their own benefit.’ Edited by: Sunil Pandey About the author Sunil Pandey Currently fulfilling his passion for journalism in Navbharat Times. He has held important positions in many institutions including ETV News, Zee Media, News18. He is considered an expert in reporting/editing on ground and research stories. He has a good grasp on political and social issues. Courtesy : Hindi News
Lalu’s health deteriorated, now some people started carrying Tejashwi’s bag’, PK said- If Congress has the guts, then it should fight the elections alone
Bihar Politics: Jansuraj Abhiyan founder Prashant Kishore attacked the Mahagathbandhan. He made sharp attacks on Congress and Tejashwi Yadav. Kishore challenged Rahul Gandhi to contest the elections alone. He also questioned the statement made by the Chief Minister of Telangana on Biharis. Kishore announced that Jansuraj Party will contest elections on all 243 seats. Muzaffarpur: Jansuraj Abhiyan founder Prashant Kishore fired many sharp questions, especially taking on RJD-Congress and Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. Prashant Kishore was talking to journalists at the Circuit House in Muzaffarpur on Sunday. When Lalu’s health deteriorated, some people started carrying Tejashwi’s bag Prashant Kishore said- ‘Lalu ji’s health has deteriorated, so some people have now started carrying Tejashwi’s bag. What is the status of Congress in Bihar? If Congress has the guts, if it has the political guts (courage), then it should fight the elections alone in Bihar.’ He said- ‘Rahul Gandhi says ‘don’t be afraid’, so we also want to say to Rahul Gandhi, don’t be afraid, fight the elections alone.’ He also commented on Lalu Prasad Yadav and said that the person who was sitting with his feet in front of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s picture, should show the courage to make a statement on him. If labour is in the DNA of Biharis, then why do they come to ask for votes? He also reacted to the video of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in which it was said that labour is in the DNA of Biharis. On this Prashant Kishore raised the question- ‘If the Chief Minister of Congress insults Biharis like this, then Congress should tell what action did they take on this? If labour is the DNA of Biharis, then why do you come to Bihar to ask for votes? Go to Telangana and ask for votes.’ The party will contest elections on all 243 seats Prashant Kishore made a big announcement and said that it has already been announced that the party will contest elections on 243 seats. For this, two potential candidates have been fielded on each seat by taking Rs 21,000. These candidates themselves are declaring themselves as potential candidates by putting up posters and banners in their area.’ Those who are not associated with any political party will be made candidates He clarified that the party will make only those people as candidates who are not associated with any political party and who are actively working in the Jansuraj movement. Prashant Kishore said- ’90 percent of the candidates will be like this, there can be only two-four exceptions.’ He claimed that the public will now decide who is the better candidate. Everyone in the whole of Bihar knows that no one can buy the idea of Jansuraj. We have so much transparency and public support that no political power can buy us. Edited by: Ravi Sinha• Reported by: Sandeep Kumar Ravi Sinha Working in the Bihar-Jharkhand team of Navbharat Times Digital. Got the opportunity to work as Jharkhand representative in Rajasthan Patrika from December 2005 to April 2020. Worked as a casual assistant editor in the regional news section of Doordarshan Ranchi and Akashvani Center. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Sidekick of RJD’: Congress has bowed to Tejashwi, says Prashant Kishore; dares Rahul to slam Lalu over Ambedkar row
NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), accusing them of political subservience. Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarpur, Kishor said that Congress in Bihar had reduced itself to a “sidekick” of RJD. “Earlier, Congress was beholden to Lalu Prasad, now it is the turn of Tejashwi Yadav,” he remarked. He also challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to publicly criticise RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for placing a portrait of Dr B R Ambedkar at his feet. “I ask Rahul Gandhi to do a small thing to prove me wrong. Let him issue just one statement criticising Lalu Prasad for having a portrait of Ambedkar placed at his feet,” he said. Kishor also took a swipe at Gandhi for not reprimanding Telangana’s chief minister for allegedly mocking Biharis by saying “menial jobs were in their DNA”. He questioned Gandhi’s silence on the remark, which drew widespread criticism. The Jan Suraaj leader further demanded the resignation of Bihar health minister and BJP leader Mangal Pandey following the death of a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur after a brutal sexual assault. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.