Rahul gives Gaya town a miss again, campaigns in 3 other seats in region
Gaya: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while campaigning in Magadh division on Tuesday, emphatically said that if his alliance with the RJD and Left parties is voted to power, their govt would be like an umbrella, under which all disadvantaged and deprived sections, particularly dalits, EBCs and minorities, will get adequate cover, protection and participation. “It will not be the govt of any particular caste,” Rahul emphasised while holding public meetings in the Wazirganj constituency of Gaya district and neighbouring Aurangabad district’s Aurangabad and Kutumba seats. Though the LoP in Lok Sabha campaigned in both the seats of Aurangabad, he, like 2020 assembly election, gave Gaya town a miss once again this time, holding a meeting only in the Wazirganj constituency area of the district. Besides Wazirganj, Congress is contesting the Gaya town seat as well — the only two of the 10 seats in the district it has been allotted as part of the opposition Grand Alliance seat sharing. In Aurangabad district, Congress candidates are in the fray. The party’s state chief, Rajesh Ram, is contesting the Kutumba (Reserved) seat. Playing down Rahul’s failure to campaign for him, the Congress candidate from Gaya town, Akhauri Onkar Nath, alias Mohan Srivastava, said that it was not possible for a big leader like him to visit each and every constituency. “Rahul has already blessed my candidature by nominating me to contest the very important Gaya town seat,” said Srivastava, claiming he was very favourably placed in this election. Political observers believe that Rahul campaigned only in seats where the Congress performance has been good in the past. Both Aurangabad and Kutumba have sitting MLAs from the Congress. In 2015 too, the Congress won both Aurangabad and Kutumba. As far as Wazirganj is concerned, though the party lost the seat in 2020, it has been doing reasonably well in the elections here since 1980. Its candidate Awadhesh Kumar Singh won the seat six times between 1980 and 2015, five times as Congress candidate and once as an Independent (Feb 2005). But Gaya is a different ball game altogether. The last time the Congress won the seat was in 1985, when Jai Kumar Palit defeated his CPI rival Shakil Ahmad Khan. Political observers attribute this to the post-election analysis, which work out the strike rate of the top leaders. “Victory/defeat in the constituencies where the top leaders campaigned are examined threadbare. May be considering Gaya’s history, Rahul skipped the constituency,” feels an observer. The Congress leader, meanwhile, played to the gallery in all the three meetings. Deftly using the emotional card, Rahul alleged that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Nitish Kumar have converted the state into a labour producing factory. “The people of Bihar live in sub-human conditions on footpaths all over the country,” the Congress leader said. Rahul also asked the youth whether they wanted to make reels or get decent jobs. “Job” was the reply in chorus. Rahul the said that even the reel-making offer was designed to “help PM Modi’s rich friends like Ambani”. Rahul was accompanied by Chhattisgarh’s former CM Bhupendra Baghel and BPCC chief Rajesh Ram in the meetings. 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
The army, government jobs, companies… India’s upper castes are taking over the entire system, Rahul Gandhi’s major allegation
Rahul Gandhi made a serious allegation at an election rally in Bihar. He said that upper castes dominate big companies, government jobs, and the army. Dalits, backward castes, and minorities are underrepresented in these key positions. He reiterated his demand for a caste census. The BJP has called this statement dangerous. New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a serious allegation at an election rally in Kutumba, Bihar. He said that upper castes dominate big companies, government jobs, and the army. He said that Dalits, backward castes, and minorities, who constitute 90% of the country’s population, are not in sufficient numbers in these key positions. He made this statement today, just before the first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand for a national caste census, saying it is essential for equal representation and constitutional rights. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly objected to his statement and called it dangerous. In his statement, Rahul Gandhi said that if one looks at the list of 500 large companies, Dalits, Extremely Backward Castes, Mahadalits, minorities, and tribals will not be seen. He claimed that all these people represent only 10% of the country’s population, which comes from upper castes. He also alleged that all the money in banks, all the jobs, and important positions in the bureaucracy are held by these upper castes. He also accused the army of being controlled by upper castes. However, the army does not have any official records of such caste-wise data. Similarly, limited information is available about the higher judiciary. Rahul Gandhi’s statement came while he was addressing a rally in Kutumba, a Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved constituency. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reacted sharply to Rahul Gandhi’s statement. BJP leaders called his statement divisive and dangerous for the country. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari posted on Instagram, saying, “Rahul Gandhi now wants to divide our armed forces on the basis of caste! The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force stand for ‘Nation First,’ not caste, religion, or class. Rahul Gandhi hates our brave armed forces! Rahul Gandhi is anti-India!” Andhra Pradesh Minister Satya Kumar Yadav also reacted, writing, “Rahul Gandhi’s rhetoric has reached a new low. By dragging the Indian Army into his casteist rhetoric, he has insulted one of the most professional and apolitical forces in the world, where soldiers serve for the tricolor, not on the basis of caste.” Mumbai BJP spokesperson Suresh Nakhua said, “In his hatred for Prime Minister Modi, he has already crossed the line into hating India.” Rahul’s Caste Agenda in Bihar Rahul Gandhi has been talking about ‘social justice’ and ‘anti-casteism’ for the past few years, especially in Bihar. The Congress’s main ally in Bihar is the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which has traditionally been a party of backward castes, particularly Yadavs and Muslims, although its electoral base has shifted over time. As far as the figures cited by Rahul Gandhi are concerned, recent caste data is not readily available nationwide. This information will be collected in the next census. What does the Bihar Caste Survey data say? However, Bihar conducted a caste survey in 2023. According to this survey, the so-called upper caste or unreserved category constitutes a little over 15% of the population in Bihar. The survey also revealed that Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs), for whom the RJD and Congress-led Grand Alliance have made special promises, are the largest caste or community group in Bihar, accounting for 36% of the population. Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are followed by 27%, Scheduled Castes (SCs) at around 20%, and Adivasis at just under 2%. By religion, approximately 18% of the population is Muslim and approximately 82% is Hindu. There is no separate caste-based data in the army. There is no separate caste-based data available in the military. However, it is true that regiments have traditionally been named after different communities. Rahul Gandhi is citing surveys and available data to argue that backward castes are deprived of representation in all important sectors due to discrimination. Regarding representation in the judiciary, according to data shared by the government in Parliament, only one-third of the judges appointed to various High Courts between 2018-22 were from minority communities. Data on Castes in the Judicial System The Law Ministry, in response to a question, stated that only 4% of judges were from Scheduled Castes (SCs) or Scheduled Tribes (STs), and about 11% were from Other Backward Classes (OBCs). There is no reservation in the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts. Therefore, the Ministry stated that category-wise data regarding the representation of individuals from any caste or class is not centrally available. However, it shared details for the High Courts from 2018, as judges are required to provide details of their social background. In its response in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry also underlined that the responsibility for initiating proposals for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court rests with the Chief Justice of India and the Chief Justices of the respective High Courts. The Ministry also stated that the government is committed to enhancing social diversity in the judiciary. “Upper Castes Control Important Institutions” In his speech, Rahul Gandhi also pointed out that upper castes control important institutions such as the corporate world, bureaucracy, and the military. He emphasized that Dalits, backward castes, and minorities, who constitute 90% of the country’s population, are not present in adequate numbers in these sectors. He reiterated the demand for a national caste census, stating that it is essential for equitable representation and constitutional rights. Curated by: Ashok Upadhyay About the Author Ashok Upadhyay is a Senior Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times Online. 10 years of experience in journalism. Started his journalism career in 2014 with the Hindi newspaper Navbharat Times. He specializes in reporting on politics, sports, and the crime beat. He has also worked on the central desk at Amar Ujala Dehradun. He has also done ground reporting for several elections. He has
. ‘10% control the Army’: Rahul Gandhi’s caste claim at Bihar rally; BJP terms remark disgraceful
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday made a striking claim in Bihar, alleging that country’s 10 per cent, referring to upper castes, “hold control over the Army.” Addressing a poll rally in Aurangabad’s Kutumba, Rahul said, “90 per cent of the people come from extremely backward, backward, Dalit, and Adivasi communities.” He went on to assert that these groups – forming the vast majority of India’s population – remain largely excluded from power and privilege. “All the wealth goes to them, all the jobs go to them. Look at the judiciary – they have control there, and even in the army,” Rahul said, in one of his most direct attacks on the country’s social and institutional hierarchy.He further added, “90 per cent of India’s population is nowhere to be found,” suggesting that marginalised communities have been systematically denied access to leadership and opportunity. The BJP hit back at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the Army. Party spokesperson Suresh Nakhua, in a post on X, said, “Rahul Gandhi is now searching for caste in the Armed Forces and says 10% of people control it. In his hate for PM Modi, he has already crossed the line into hating India.” Another BJP spokesperson, Sanju Verma, also hit out at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks, saying, “Rahul Gandhi is shamelessly devious and deviously shameless. Listening to him in this clip leaves no doubt that this failed, forever-in-waiting PM is desperately trying to polarize. Now he is trying to divide the Army on caste lines — what an unhinged wreck this Leader of Opposition is. Disgraceful.” Directing his attack to Bihar government, Rahul painted a picture of unemployment in the state, blaming the Nitish Kumar government for pushing its youth into low-paying, menial labour across the country. Follow live coverage on Bihar elections “The people of Bihar are doing manual labour across the entire country. In different parts of the country, people from Bihar are building large buildings, roads, tunnels, and factories,” he said. Accusing the state government of failing its people, Rahul added, “In other words, the truth is this—that Nitish Kumar has wiped out employment here and turned the people of Bihar into the country’s labourers.” 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
Rahul Gandhi to detonate a ‘hydrogen bomb’ amid Bihar elections, press conference to be held shortly
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to hold a press conference on Wednesday, ahead of the first phase of voting in the Bihar elections. It is believed that Rahul Gandhi may allegedly detonate a ‘hydrogen bomb’ during this press conference amid the election campaign New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to hold a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday at 12 noon. Speculation is rife that he may make a major revelation, which was previously described as a ‘hydrogen bomb’ related to allegations of vote theft and voter list manipulation. On September 1, Rahul Gandhi warned the BJP of a major revelation, saying that he would soon detonate a ‘hydrogen bomb’ regarding its allegations of vote theft, as what was shown about Mahadevnagar was merely an ‘atom bomb’. Another scathing attack on the BJP Addressing a gathering on the last day of the “Voter Rights Yatra,” Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP. Rahul said, “The forces that murdered Mahatma Gandhi are now trying to destroy the Constitution of India.” The 16-day-long “Voter Rights Yatra,” led by Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, aims to raise awareness about voter rights and protest alleged “vote theft” and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The Prime Minister will not be able to show his face. Rahul Gandhi said in Patna that the same forces that murdered Mahatma Gandhi are trying to destroy the Constitution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. The Congress leader said, “We will not let them destroy the Constitution of India… We received tremendous support during the Yatra. We will bring it, let the BJP get ready. Their truth will be revealed to the country. I thank the people of Bihar for helping us.” Rahul said, “I guarantee you, after the hydrogen bomb, Narendra Modi will not be able to show his face to this country.” Edited by: Anil Kumar About the author Anil Kumar He is part of the homepage team at Navbharat Times Digital. He has nearly 16 years of experience in both newspaper and digital media. He has been with Navbharat Times Online since January 2021. He writes news and analysis on politics and current affairs for the India and Delhi sections of the homepage. Courtesy: Hindi News
BRS leader Koppula Eshwar slams Revanth govt as ‘anti-dalit’, accuses Congress of betrayal
BRS leader Koppula Eshwar accused the Revanth Reddy government of being anti-Dalit and failing welfare promises. He alleged diversion of SC funds and misuse of schemes for Congress workers. The Dalit Bandhu Sadhana Samiti pledged support for BRS candidate Maganti Sunitha Hyderabad: Former Minister and BRS senior leader Koppula Eshwar termed the Revanth Reddy government as anti-Dalit, accusing it of insulting and deceiving Dalit communities. He said the Congress, which has been in power several times since Independence, continued to exploit Dalits as a vote bank, but failed to deliver promises made to them. Addressing a press meet at Telangana Bhavan on Saturday, Eshwar said promises such as Rs 12 lakh assistance to Dalits under Dalit Bandhu scheme and Rs 6 lakh for Indiramma houses were used as political bait, with benefits restricted to the Congress workers. “SC sub-plan funds are being diverted, and not one review has been done on Dalit welfare,” he said. He pointed out that even on Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, the Chief Minister and Ministers failed to pay homage at the 125-foot Ambedkar statue. He said people were also deprived of any opportunity to pay homage by locking the premises. He urged Dalits in Jubilee Hills to teach a lesson to the Congress in the upcoming by-election. Dalit Bandhu Sadhana Samiti president Mahesh said BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had implemented Dalit Bandhu, benefitting 1.3 lakh families cutting across party lines. “The Congress has only made empty promises, while KCR empowered Dalits economically,” he said, urging Dalits not to get fooled again by the Congress. He announced the Samiti’s full support for BRS candidate Maganti Sunitha, and also campaign for her in Jubilee Hills byelection. Courtesy : Telangana Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/telanganatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Nitish gave my father recognition, Rahul… The son of the ‘Mountain Man’ turned his back on the Congress after being denied a Congress ticket.
Bhagirath Manjhi, son of Bihar’s ‘Mountain Man’ Dashrath Manjhi, praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He said that Nitish Kumar recognized his father’s great work in cutting mountains, for which he is grateful. However, he expressed disappointment at not receiving a Congress ticket despite receiving assurances from Rahul Gandhi and having built a permanent house for him. Rahul Gandhi visited Bhagirath Manjhi’s house (file) Gayaji: Bhagirath Manjhi, son of Bihar’s Mountain Man Dashrath Manjhi, praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He said that Nitish Kumar recognized, praised, and recognized his father’s monumental work in cutting mountains and building roads. He will always be grateful to Nitish Kumar for this. Bhagirath Manjhi also recalled his meeting with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who had built a permanent house for his family. He expressed disappointment at not receiving a Congress ticket despite receiving assurances from him. “The Mountain Man’s” son praises Nitish Kumar Bhagirath Manjhi said that the person who brought his father Dashrath Manjhi’s work to the world’s attention was Nitish Kumar. He was the one who brought his father’s achievements to public attention. When asked about his meeting with Rahul Gandhi, he said, “I met Rahul Gandhi for the first time some time ago. I didn’t know him before.” Notably, the “Mountain Man’s” son was approached by the Congress party before the elections and promised a ticket to contest the Bihar elections. Bhagirath Manjhi still makes this claim, and he expressed disappointment at not receiving the opportunity. Displeased with not receiving a ticket from the Congress He said, “I told Rahul Gandhi that if I don’t get the ticket, you will have to face severe criticism. I also told him that I will also have to face rebuke for supporting the Congress.” However, he said he was grateful to Rahul Gandhi for building a permanent house for his family, adding that neither the Congress MP nor anyone else had informed him about it in advance. ‘Rahul Gandhi built my house’ Bhagirath Manjhi said that about a week after meeting Rahul Gandhi, engineers came to his village and built a house for his family, which has four bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. Recalling the meeting, he said that Rahul spoke to him openly, sat on his bed, and even drank coconut water. Edited by: Sunil Pandey About the author Sunil Pandey is a senior journalist with Navbharat Times Bihar-Jharkhand. He has experience in print, TV, and digital, with 20 years of experience in politics, sports, business, and ground reporting. Courtesy: Hindi News
Rahul to address rally in Gaya today
Gaya: Rendered inactive for years, Congress workers have become energetically involved this time, particularly in Gaya town and Wazirganj assembly segments, as they campaign for the party’s candidates. With only eight days left for polling in the second phase (Nov 11), Rahul is set to address a public meeting at Bhindas in Manpur block, part of the Wazirganj assembly constituency, on Tuesday, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman Bijoy Kumar Mithu said. In addition, either Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge or Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is expected to address a public meeting on Nov 7. The announcement for the Friday meeting was made on Sunday evening, when senior leaders Sachin Pilot, Imran Pratpgarhi and Subodh Kant Sahay urged voters to support their candidate Akhouri Onkarnath, also known as Mohan Shrivastava. Shrivastava contested as the party candidate in both 2010 and 2020. Earlier, industrialist and writer Sanjay Sahay — son of former Rajya Sabha member Dayanand Sahay, who served as a minister in the Karpoori Thakur govt, and Sarvodaya activist Sushila Sahay — and Priya Ranjan, also known as Dimple, contested the seat in 2005 but were defeated by BJP’s Prem Kumar. The last time Congress won the Gaya town seat was in 1984 and 1980, when Jai Kumar Palit was elected. Since 1951, the party has represented the constituency five times — Keshav Prasad in 1951, Sardar Mohan in 1957, Yugal Kishore in 1972 and Palit twice. The Gaya town constituency has a total of 2,78,559 electors, including 1,44,947 male and 1,33,609 female voters. The Wazirganj segment comprises 3,13,935 electors — 1,64,527 male and 1,48,407 female. 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
People worship caste criminals; you can’t sow babool and expect khajoor: Pappu Yadav
Independent MP from Purnia and Congress star campaigner Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav says Bihar’s young voters are done with the double-engine experiment and the mood on the ground is clearly shifting against the NDA. In an interview with TOI online, he claimed that 11 years of BJP-JD(U) rule delivered neither industries nor smart cities nor jobs, and special status was reduced to a slogan. There is deep impatience for change, he said. Yadav admitted that candidate selection and CWC-phase indecision did hurt the INDIA bloc’s momentum but asserted that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi’s back-to-back rallies are re-energising the campaign. Q) You are campaigning across the state. What is your ground report? I am not an astrologer. Bihar’s youth is fed up with the “double engine” government. There is anger over education, health and the broken exam system. One month of Rahul Gandhi’s SIR narrative had pushed us to 160–180 seats. But the two-month gap after CWC + 15–20 days of ticket confusion slowed the momentum. People are angry and want to vote against the NDA. Our leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, are campaigning continuously, and the atmosphere is gradually turning again. On one side, you talk of offering chhath arghya from a mineral water bottle, on the other side our leaders are actually jumping into the river. They are on the ground among people. Q) But when Rahul Gandhi entered the river, you were not seen there; Kanhaiya Kumar was. Should I abandon everything? I have been travelling across Bihar non-stop for 14 days. I am talking development, they are selling jumlas. No smart city, no industry, no talk on migration. 11 years of NDA made Bihar a toy. They keep crying “jungle-raj”. We paid the price for that for 20 years. Now answer for your 11 years — your goonda-raj and inspector-raj. Q) You are taking credit for the new trains and Purnia airport — but these are Centre–State decisions. On stage you had praised the PM as well. The PM who cannot get one sugar mill started — what will he do in India? I had promised an airport in six months and I got it. Promised connectivity — I delivered Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and 14 trains. I only said “welcome, sir” on stage. Seemanchal loves — they hate Seemanchal. If Lalan Singh talks so big — why didn’t he get Vande Bharat from Munger? Why no airports in Bhagalpur, Raxaul and Muzaffarpur? Q) You have spoken about AIIMS and Metro for Purnia — when will work begin? Whatever I say — I do. Within three years, I will deliver and make Seemanchal No.1. Q) Your irritation over ticket distribution in Congress was visible. We saw what happened at Patna airport. This happens everywhere. Giriraj said the BJP should not live in illusion. Manjhi said NDA will suffer. Kushwaha said all is not well. Today, Nitish Kumar didn’t attend PM’s road show — his “aukaat” was shown. Only Lalan Singh was sent. Q) You are now on the Congress star campaigner list. Congress needs you today — so it has embraced you. I am a simple man. Politics is dirty — you do what you don’t like. Everyone abuses me — I embrace everyone. Q) Will you do a joint rally with Tejashwi Yadav? We all have our work. Congress has sent me as a worker. We are doing mazdoori — working like animals. Why should others enter my courtyard? I do my job, Tejashwi his, Rahul Ji his. Q) Your alliance has named Mukesh Sahni as Deputy CM face. Will Congress also get a Deputy CM? Rahul Gandhi wants 90% people to get economic, social, political share. EBC has already been announced as Deputy CM. We will give SC and minority Deputy CMs too. Q) You said tickets were being sold? Yes. Except for my party, tickets are sold everywhere like cattle. We sacrificed two sitting seats. Only Congress can do this. You find out where 12 crore was the rate. Criminals/mafia get tickets. If you plant babool, you cannot get dates. People worship caste-criminals — so leaders revolve around them. Q) You said Congress has ‘nashak, satyanashak, sarvanashak and mahanashak’ leaders. Who are they? Yes, I said it. What’s the problem? I have given all four names to my leader. Q) You had demanded six seats but got none. Media accused that seats were decided by me. Will Krishna Allavaru follow me or Rahul Gandhi? Q) You were caught distributing money in Vaishali. EC has lodged a case. I got an IT notice — am I not even worth two lakh? I take money from friends to help people. Where in MCC is it written “don’t feed the hungry”? I was not contesting Vaishali. It’s not my area. River erosion happened — I went to help. Q) Will Pappu Yadav formally join Congress soon? I am fully Rahul-Priyanka. The call is with Congress. 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
Rahul dives into Begusarai pond, joins locals in catching fish
Begusarai: In a strikingly spontaneous moment on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi swapped the political stage for a splash in a village pond, joining local fishermen in catching fish after addressing an election rally in Begusarai. After concluding his speech, Rahul travelled about 3km to Bharra village in the Begusarai assembly constituency, accompanied by Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar and Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani. Upon reaching the pond, Rahul boarded a small boat to meet fishermen casting their nets. When Kanhaiya jumped into the water, Rahul followed suit, drawing cheers from the locals gathered around. Even the SPG personnel waded into the pond to ensure his security as the Congress leader wove through the water, laughing and chatting with the fishermen. Begusarai Congress candidate Amita Bhushan said Rahul’s gesture was completely impromptu. “After Rahul ji concluded his speech, he was curious about some fishermen nearby. When told they were heading to catch fish in a pond close by, he immediately decided to follow them and reached Bharra village pokhar,” she said. During his time at the pond, Rahul not only displayed his swimming skills but also helped pull in fishing nets alongside the locals. Afterwards, he headed to the nearby home of Mahadev Sah, where he took a bath at a handpump in an open bathroom before changing clothes inside one of the rooms. Savita Devi, a member of Mahadev Sah’s family, said the experience was unforgettable. “It was amazing to have Rahul come to our house. After taking a bath at the handpump, he changed his clothes and chatted with us briefly. My daughters and I even took a selfie with him. He stayed for about 10 minutes and asked how we were before leaving,” she 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
RJD put ‘katta’ to Cong head to push Tejashwi as CM face: PM
Patna: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the INDIA bloc, alleging that the Congress accepted Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as the INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate in Bihar only after the RJD pointed a “katta” (a country-made gun) at its head. Addressing packed election rallies in Ara and Nawada, the PM accused the RJD of using strong-arm tactics to dominate the alliance. “The Congress never wanted to announce the chief ministerial candidate in favour of the RJD. The RJD secured it by placing a ‘katta’ on the head of the Congress. They have learned their lessons in the school of ‘jungle raj’. Such elements can never do good for Bihar,” he said. Modi’s remarks came amid persistent speculation that the Congress had initially been reluctant to project Tejashwi as the INDIA bloc’s CM face, agreeing only after sustained pressure from the RJD. The apparent strain between the allies continues to show with Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi having shared the stage only twice so far — in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga on Oct 29. Since then, Rahul has campaigned separately in Begusarai and Khagaria, while Tejashwi has held over 15 rallies across the state. RJD functionaries, however, have maintained that the two leaders were splitting campaign duties to cover the 121 constituencies going to the polls in the first phase on Nov 6. “Even NDA stalwarts like PM Modi and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar are not campaigning together,” they said. Speaking in Ara, Modi urged voters to “wait for the second phase of polling on Nov 11 to see them fighting”. Without naming either Rahul or Tejashwi, he said, “The crown prince of ‘jungle raj’ fears that the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ of the other ‘yuvraj’ may dent his prospects. Hence, the RJD has put up its candidate against the state president of the Congress. Let the polls be over. The two allies will be breaking each other’s heads.” The remark referred to the Kutumba seat, where the RJD had initially announced a candidate against sitting MLA and state Congress president Rajesh Kumar, before withdrawing the move. Despite this, the two allies are locked in friendly contests in several constituencies. Claiming that the NDA was poised for a “record victory,” Modi said the ruling alliance would continue to provide an “upright and farsighted” govt and work towards a “developed Bihar” essential for “Viksit Bharat”. He said, “The jungle raj wallahs are set to get the worst drubbing in history.” Visibly pleased with the turnout, the PM said, “Analysts sitting in Delhi, who are racking their brains over poll arithmetic, would do well to come here and experience for themselves which way the wind is blowing.” Touting the NDA manifesto released last week, Modi described it as “honest” and visionary, in contrast to the INDIA bloc’s charter, which he dismissed as “a dossier of lies”. He envisioned a future where “the youth of Bihar will work in Bihar and make their motherland proud”, without migrating under economic duress. Listing his govt’s achievements, he said, “The condition of power connectivity was such that people used to dry clothes on electrical wires, but we changed it.” Highlighting the contribution of Bhojpur and neighbouring districts to the armed forces, Modi said national security and soldiers’ welfare were top priorities. “One rank one pension (OROP) has resulted in the disbursement of Rs 1 lakh crore, benefitting families of servicemen,” he said. He accused the RJD and Congress of serving “just two families — one most corrupt in Bihar and another most corrupt in the country”. Referring to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Modi said, “It was around the same time of the year, on Nov 1-2, when Sikhs were massacred in Delhi. Those who were guilty are being promoted by the party. The Congress has been unapologetic about the carnage.” In an apparent dig at Voter Adhikar Yatra, Modi alleged it was meant to protect “infiltrators (ghuspaithiye)” who must be driven out before they seize the resources meant for the people of Bihar. Recalling the abduction of a doctor in Tarari near Ara two decades ago and the Naxal insurgency that devastated Dalmia Nagar in Rohtas, he said the NDA had worked to restore peace and stability in these regions. Concluding his speech, Modi announced plans to develop the birthplace of Veer Kunwar Singh, the 1857 freedom hero, as part of the NDA’s commitment to combine development with cultural heritage. In Nawada, he lauded the NDA’s success in curbing Maoist insurgency and warned against “urban naxals” sympathetic to extremist ideologies, urging voters to reject those who “romanticise unrest”. (With inputs from Praveen in Ara) 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