Can’t a Dalit fly? Bihar IAS officer’s charter flight for family sparks row
A chartered flight from Delhi to Patna taken by a Bihar-cadre IAS officer and his family has triggered a political storm over privilege and propriety. After a Congress MLA raised questions over who paid for the trip, a BJP minister invoked the officer’s Dalit identity to defend him. He turned the row into a slugfest charged with caste. A senior Bihar-cadre IAS officer is at the centre of a political controversy. The Opposition in Bihar questioned how a civil servant flew his family on a chartered flight. However, a debate that should have centred around accountability and use of public money sank into the swamp of caste politics. The Opposition—the RJD and the Congress—questioned how the IAS officer, Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, could afford a chartered flight and who paid for it. Deore took the chartered flight with his family from Delhi to Patna last year. The JDU-BJP-led Bihar government said that the plane was already returning to Patna, and he only made the best use of it. However, the controversy took a turn when Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary used Deore’s Dalit identity to hit back at the Opposition. He wielded the convenient weapon of caste, and asked whether the officer had no right to fly because he was a Dalit. Here’s all that has happened so far. WHAT TRIGGERED ROW OVER IAS OFFICER’S CHARTERED FLIGHT IN BIHAR The controversy began in the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Monday. RJD MLA Rahul Sharma flagged that Nilesh Ramchandra Deore had travelled by a chartered plane with his family from New Delhi to Patna in June 2025, reported Bihar Tak, India Today Digital’s sister portal. Sharma questioned how an IAS officer could afford such a flight. He asked how Deore managed to take a chartered plane, which is costly. “On June 5, 2025, a chartered King Air Falcon 2000 flew from Delhi to Patna. It did not park at the regular civilian airport but reportedly went to a flying institute, raising questions. A Bihar government officer was on board with his family, four people in total. Was permission taken or not? I do not think the Bihar government can officially extend such a facility. If someone else paid, why did they pay? What did they receive in return?” Sharma, an MLA representing Jahanabad’s Ghosi seat, asked. “His entire tenure should be audited to establish the facts. People do not pat for a tempo ride, but he was given access to a private aircraft. There appears to be a nexus of corruption operating in Bihar, and this must be thoroughly investigated. There appears to be a nexus of corruption operating in Bihar, and this must be thoroughly investigated. The government’s silence is telling and only deepens suspicion. Bihar is a poor state, and allegations of corruption are both serious and deeply concerning. We only want to know how an IAS officer can afford a journey by a chartered plane,” Congress MLA Sharma told News4Nation, a local YouTube channel. The allegation quickly snowballed. The Congress MLA’s focus was not only on the flight. It was also over the (mis)use of privilege, propriety and public money. Deore, who is a Secretary with both the Tourism and Civil Aviation departments of the Bihar government, is a native of Maharashtra. WHAT BIHAR GOVERNMENT MINISTER SAID ABOUT THE FLIGHT AND WAS IT AN OFFICIAL TRIP? The Bihar government moved to clarify on the matter. Bihar Rural Works Minister Ashok Choudhary responded in the Assembly. “Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Civil Aviation Secretary Nilesh Deore and I were on an official trip from Patna to Delhi last July. The plane had to return to Patna anyway. Deore and his family boarded the plane on its return journey,” Choudhary said in a video. Though the flight was reportedly in June, the minister said it was in July. The month, however, is incidental to the entire saga as of now. Choudhary also sharpened the political tone. He asked if Deore had no right to fly because he was a Dalit. “Do Dalits and backward communities not have the right to board an aircraft? What sin has been committed here? And what is the background of those raising these questions?” Choudhary asked. The BJP leader’s explanation suggested that the aircraft was already scheduled to return. The implication was that there was no additional burden on the exchequer because of the flight. “He is an officer with a service record. He worked extensively in the education sector in Banka and Bettiah. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar appreciated his work and later gave him a role in the Civil Aviation Department. Supporters argue it is not a big deal as the flight was, anyway, returning empty. They say questions are being raised without homework and ask why Nilesh Deore is being targeted. Some also point out that during his stint in the health department he took stern action against 25 people, and wonder whether that has anything to do with the controversy now,” Choudhary said while speaking to journalists. Choudhary’s remark shifted the debate to caste. It was no longer just about a flight, professional conduct or accountability. It became a matter of caste and entitlement. IS IAS OFFICER’S CHARTER FLIGHT ABOUT CASTE OR ABOUT USE OF PUBLIC MONEY? The Congress pushed back against the BJP leader’s response, saying the issue was not about caste but about transparency and accountability. “Rather than the government or the officer in question putting the record straight, Choudhary has been trying to play the Dalit card. We only want the government to tell us if the officer was charged a fare for his travel or if the journey was at the expense of the poor,” Bihar Congress spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari was quoted as saying by The Indian Express newspaper. The Opposition’s central question has been simple. Was any fare paid? If yes, how much? If not, why not? The JDU-BJP government has so far only clarified the circumstances of the return flight. It has not publicly detailed whether Deore paid
FIR Names Entire Brahmin Community in Bihar Village After Dalit Family Alleges Assault
FIR Names Brahmin Community After Dalit Assault Claim An FIR has been registered against almost all adult male members of the Brahmin community in Harinagar village of Darbhanga district in Bihar under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989, following allegations of assault and abuse against a Dalit family.Photo journalism course More than a dozen people have been arrested so far. What has raised serious questions is that the FIR names 70 accused persons and also mentions around 100 to 150 unidentified individuals. Together, this roughly equals the entire adult male Brahmin population of the village. Many of those named are reportedly working in other states, such as Delhi and Mumbai, to earn a living and have not lived in the village for years. The complaint was filed by Asarfi Paswan in connection with an incident that allegedly took place on January 31 in Harinagar village under the Kusheshwar Asthan police station area. The dispute is linked to pending wages owed to his son Vikram Paswan, who had worked for Hemkant Jha for nearly five years. According to the complaint, a village-level settlement meeting was held on January 30 but ended in arguments and unrest. The next morning, Vikram Paswan was allegedly attacked while returning home after buying vegetables. Asarfi Paswan alleged that Hemkant Jha and others abused his son using caste-based slurs and chased him with sticks, iron rods, axes, bricks and stones with the intent to kill him. He claimed that the attackers followed Vikram into his house, dragged him to the ground and assaulted him severely. The complaint further alleged that Phulkant Jha instigated others to kill Vikram, after which he was hit on the head with iron rods and lost consciousness. Asarfi’s other son, Rajgir Paswan and three other villagers who tried to intervene were also allegedly beaten and suffered head injuries. Asarfi Paswan also alleged that his wife, Ramtara Devi and granddaughter Komal Kumari were assaulted. He claimed that his wife was beaten and her clothes were torn, while his granddaughter suffered a fractured hip. He further stated that gold and silver ornaments, cash worth two lakh rupees kept for his granddaughter’s marriage, household items and mobile phones were looted. Four motorcycles were allegedly damaged, and a nearby roadside restaurant was vandalised. The family was also allegedly threatened with eviction from the village. Based on the complaint, FIR number 22 of 2026 was registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC ST Act. Kusheshwar Asthan police station in charge, Ankit Choudhary, said that the dispute was originally related to money and claimed that some anti-social elements were trying to give it a caste angle. He confirmed that 12 people have been arrested so far and said further action would depend on evidence collected during the investigation. The case has drawn attention from the National Crime Investigation Bureau, a civil society organisation, which expressed surprise over the inclusion of the entire Brahmin community in the FIR. The organisation said that not a single Brahmin family in the village appeared to have been spared and pointed out that many of those named were not even residing in the village. Meanwhile, tension continues in Harinagar village. Additional police force has been deployed and authorities say they are recording statements from both sides and examining videos and other evidence. Police officials have stated that no innocent person will be harassed and that further arrests will be made strictly on the basis of evidence. 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
Fear of a strongman in Bihar’s Dalit locality, indiscriminate firing to pressure withdrawal of case
Bihar News: The viral video has raised serious questions about the police and law and order. Considering the seriousness of the matter, Bhawanipur Station House Officer Shumbh Paswan said that the video has been taken as evidence. Continuous raids are being conducted to arrest the accused. Patna: A sensational incident defying law and order has come to light in the Bhawanipur police station area of Bhagalpur, Bihar. It is alleged that a strongman in the Dalit locality of Narayanpur village spread terror in the entire area by openly firing to pressure the withdrawal of a case. A video of this entire incident is rapidly going viral on social media. In it, the accused can be seen fearlessly brandishing a weapon and firing three to four rounds continuously. Son abused, father injured in attack The victim, Rajkishore Paswan, has leveled serious allegations against Shiva Yadav of the same village. He says that the dispute started on January 27, when the accused abused his son. The matter was settled after the intervention of the villagers, but about an hour later, the accused attacked again, seriously injuring Rajkishore Paswan. Firing in Dalit locality, pressure to withdraw case A First Information Report (FIR) has already been registered at the Bhawanipur police station in this case. Now the accused is constantly threatening to kill him to force him to withdraw the case. To create this pressure, he reached the Dalit locality and fired indiscriminately. After this firing incident, the people of the Dalit locality are in deep fear. They feel unsafe. Raids to arrest the accused The viral video has raised serious questions about the police and law and order. Considering the seriousness of the matter, Bhawanipur Station House Officer Shumbh Paswan stated that the police have confirmed the incident and the viral video has been taken as evidence. Continuous raids are being conducted to apprehend the accused. The administration has assured the villagers of their safety. Local residents are demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and increased police patrolling in the village. Reported by: Alok Verma, Edited by: Shweta Gupta Courtesy: Hindi News
Denied access to funeral ground, Dalits light pyre on Bihar road
PATNA: Dalit villagers in Bihar’s Vaishali lit the pyre of a 91-year-old woman in the middle of a public road after allegedly being prevented from accessing the local cremation ground, sparking tensions and an inquiry. According to villagers and police, the funeral procession of Jhapsi Devi, a resident of Sondho-Vashudeo village in Goraul area, was on its way to the cremation ground on Thursday when some “influential” villagers allegedly stopped them. Enraged, the villagers carried the body to the middle of the road and cremated it there in full public view amid chants of Vedic rituals. Jhapsi died late Wednesday. The woman’s son, Sanjeet Manjhi, said the family was left with no option. “Jab ham logon ko nahin jane diya, toh gaon ke log bole ki yahi (road) par phoonk do (When we were not allowed to go the cremation site, villagers said we should hold the cremation here on the road itself,” Sanjeet said. Mewalal Manjhi, 67, another villager who was part of the procession, voiced deep despair. “We are poor, with no house and no land. Now, we are not even being allowed to cremate the bodies of our dead,” Mewalal asked. 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
Elderly Dalit Woman Cremated on Road in Bihar After Family Barred from Village Cremation Ground
An elderly Dalit woman was cremated on a public road in Bihar’s Vaishali district after her family was allegedly stopped from accessing the village cremation ground, triggering outrage and tension in the area. The incident took place on Thursday at Sontho Andhari village under the Goraul police station limits. The woman, identified as Jhapki Devi, 95, belonged to a Mahadalit family. According to locals and police, when her family tried to take her body to the cremation ground, some people blocked the route, leaving the family with no option but to perform the last rites on the road. Family members and residents said the obstruction has been a long-standing issue. “Every time we take a body for cremation, the way is blocked. This has happened earlier too, but no permanent solution was given,” said a local resident from Manjhi Tola, expressing anger over repeated denial of access. As tensions rose, the funeral procession stopped at Andhari Gachi Chowk, where the body was placed on a pyre in front of a Shiva temple and cremated on the road. Angry villagers alleged that the pathway from the main road to the cremation ground has been encroached upon by local landowners. Police and administrative officials later reached the spot. A fire brigade vehicle was called to extinguish the pyre, and the road was cleaned after the cremation. Public representatives who arrived at the scene were reportedly chased away by protesting villagers, who accused the administration of ignoring their complaints for years. Vaishali Superintendent of Police Vikram Sihag said the issue arose due to the absence of a clear path. “Earlier, there was a route to the cremation ground, but some people built a temple on that path. Due to the lack of access, the family carried out the cremation on the road,” he said. He added that discussions were held with local officials and that arrangements would be made to restore access to the cremation ground. “The situation is currently under control,” the SP said. Block Development Officer Pankaj Kumar Nigam and Circle Officer Divya Chanchal said the area has been cleared and the matter is being investigated. “All aspects will be examined, and steps will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” they said. 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
From Bihar, which shook Indira’s power, now a challenge is being sounded against Rahul! Why did a lifelong Congressman call him a coward?
History is witness that sparks of protest rising from Bihar often shake the power in Delhi. After Indira Gandhi, a front has now opened against Rahul Gandhi from Bihar itself. Former Union Minister Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, a lifelong Congressman, has left the party and called Rahul a “coward” and “incompetent,” which is casting a shadow of crisis over the “shop of love.” Patna: The movement against Indira Gandhi started from Bihar, which led to the end of her rule. Now, the loudest voice of protest against Rahul Gandhi has resonated across the country from Bihar. History is witness that a voice of protest emanating from Bihar is never ineffective. Lest it happen that love departs from the shop of love, and only an empty shop remains. Why are those who love Congress leaving it? In reality, there cannot be a shop of love because it is a matter of the heart. Love is not a commodity that can be found in a shop. Now, the owner and proprietor of the shop (Rahul Gandhi) himself is being accused of lacking both competence and courage. Former Union Minister Dr. Shakeel Ahmed has been a lifelong Congressman. But what happened that he first left the Congress and is now calling Rahul Gandhi a cowardly leader? Grandfather was an MLA in 1937, father and son were MLAs 5 times each Can only those who flatter Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi remain in Congress? Can those with independent opinions not survive in Congress? Three generations of Dr. Shakeel Ahmed’s family served the Congress. His grandfather, Ahmed Ghafoor, was elected to the Bihar Assembly from Congress in 1937. His father, Shakur Ahmed, was an MLA five times from Congress between 1952 and 1977. After 1985, Shakeel Ahmed himself was a Congress MLA five times. He was also a Member of Parliament and a Union Minister. But after the 2025 assembly elections, he left the Congress party. If Shakeel Ahmed, a member of such a dedicated Congress family, has accused Rahul Gandhi of cowardice, there must be some truth to it. Rahul Gandhi lacks an understanding of electoral issues! If someone shows Rahul Gandhi a mirror, instead of fixing his appearance, he becomes intent on breaking the mirror. When Shakeel Ahmed left the party, he said that he still has unwavering faith in the party’s policies, but he has differences with some individuals at the top of the organization. This means his displeasure is with Rahul Gandhi. Some disgruntled Congress leaders say that Rahul Gandhi lacks an understanding of electoral issues. In Bihar, he worked tirelessly for 17 days through the Voter Rights Yatra to make SIR (State Information Commission) an election issue. He tried to create a favorable atmosphere by raising the slogan “Vote thief, leave the throne.” But all his efforts went in vain because it was not an issue in the eyes of the public. Not a single complaint was received against SIR. The debate on Rahul Gandhi’s shortcomings has started again. After Shakeel Ahmed’s statement, the debate on Rahul Gandhi’s shortcomings has intensified once again. It is alleged that Rahul Gandhi has destroyed the internal democracy of the party. When he resigned from the post of Congress president after the electoral defeat, he should have worked for the organization with a clear heart. He should have handed over the reins of the party to a capable leader from outside the family. But Rahul Gandhi could not free himself from the feeling of being the super boss. He did appoint Mallikarjun Kharge, a leader from outside the family, as president, but he kept all the powers in his own hands. Kharge is just a president in name; all the decisions are taken by Rahul Gandhi. Kharge’s signature is just a formality. Now, there is opposition to Rahul Gandhi even at the district level in Bihar. This strong voice against Rahul Gandhi emanating from Bihar will resonate far and wide. Now, even at the district level, Congress leaders have started questioning Rahul Gandhi’s incompetence. Currently, Bihar Congress leaders are holding public meetings in the districts under the ‘Save MNREGA Campaign’. A public meeting was held in Darbhanga on Tuesday. During this time, local leader Ram Narayan accused Rahul Gandhi, saying that the Congress party would not progress in Bihar until the buying and selling of tickets stopped. Local leaders started chanting slogans against Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru and state president Rajesh Ram. Authored by: Ashok Kumar Sharma • Edited by: Sunil Pandey About the Author Ashok Kumar Sharma is a senior journalist. He has more than three decades of experience in journalism. He understands the politics and society of Bihar very well and analyzes the changes taking place there with keen observation. He has done special reporting on Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Bihar. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘The People’s Doctor’: This renowned doctor from Patna will reach your home; free treatment also available in Dalit settlements
Dr. Dheeraj believes that doctors should go to the patients who cannot reach Patna or larger hospitals. His initiative is not only a new example for the healthcare system but also sends a message to society that treatment given with a spirit of service is true treatment. Vaishali: In today’s times, when medical treatment is becoming increasingly inaccessible to the common man, a unique initiative by a prominent doctor from Patna has forced everyone, from the healthcare department to the general public, to think. Dr. Dheeraj Kumar, a professor at PMCH and a renowned gastroenterologist, has put the concept of “Doctor at Your Doorstep” into practice by visiting Dalit and slum areas to provide free check-ups and distribute medicines to patients. In this era of expensive treatment and exorbitant fees, Dr. Dheeraj Kumar’s step has come as a great relief for thousands of needy people. While the fees of big doctors are usually in the thousands, Dr. Dheeraj has already created a stir in the healthcare system with his decisions. He proved that treatment can be affordable and accessible by offering OPD consultations for just Rs. 50 and X-ray facilities for Rs. 25 at his ‘InCure Clinic’ in Kankarbagh. Famous as the People’s Doctor Now, Dr. Dheeraj has gone a step further, moving out of air-conditioned rooms and large clinics to directly reach slums and Dalit settlements. In this regard, he, along with his medical team, reached Ward Number 31 in Yusufpur, Hajipur, where hundreds of patients were examined free of charge. Patients suffering from stomach problems, liver issues, gas, anemia, and other common ailments were not only given consultations but also provided with free medicines. Among the patients who come from far and wide for treatment, Dr. Dheeraj is now known as the “People’s Doctor.” Serving the poor and underprivileged is true religion. Dr. Dheeraj Kumar, who is educated in England, is a professor at PMCH and is also deeply involved in social causes. He says that becoming a doctor was his mother’s dream, and after fulfilling that dream, he considers serving the poor and underprivileged as his true religion. Edited by: Mohd Majid Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Plan to attack my residence’: After calling Rahul Gandhi ‘darpok’ Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad makes big claim
NEW DELHI: Days after calling Rahul Gandhi “darpok” (coward) and “insecure”, former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad on Tuesday claimed that his residence faces a threat of attack. He shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp message which he alleged was circulated by party members, calling on district and assembly-level leaders to burn his effigy in protest over his “inappropriate statements” about Rahul Gandhi. Sharing the chats on X, Ahmad wrote: “Now my information has turned out to be absolutely spot on. Many thanks to the old mates from Congress. There’s a saying in our Bihar that old friends are the ones who come in handy. Is this happening without Rahul ji’s orders?” — Ahmad_Shakeel (@Ahmad_Shakeel) The message he posted read: “Former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad has been continuously making inappropriate statements about our respected leader Shri Rahul Gandhi. The top leadership has directed that all District Presidents and Assembly Presidents should, in their respective areas, burn an effigy of Shakeel Ahmad on 27/12/2026 to register strong protest.” Escalating the spat further, in a post late Monday, Ahmad further alleged that the Congress leadership in Bihar has “ordered” party workers to attack his residence. “Just now, some colleagues from the Congress have secretly informed me that the Congress national leadership has ordered the Bihar Congress/Youth Congress to attack my residences in Patna and Madhubani tomorrow, January 27, under the pretext of burning an effigy,” he wrote on X. — Ahmad_Shakeel (@Ahmad_Shakeel) The controversy follows Ahmad’s scathing remarks about Gandhi. “Rahul Gandhi is a coward and an insecure person. He does not get that ‘boss feeling’ before anyone who is senior to him or has a big public support. He is uncomfortable with any such person and is thus dictatorial and not democratic,” he told PTI. Congress leader Manickam Tagore hit back, calling Ahmad a “betrayer” and “Jaichand”. “I am not shocked. Just saddened, yet again,? by how betrayal becomes loud when courage walks the longest road,” Tagore wrote on X, adding that such attacks were about “TV time, relevance and pleasing new masters”. Ahmad, a former Union minister and ex-Congress general secretary who quit the party after the 2025 Bihar elections, has also accused Gandhi of sidelining senior leaders and influencing the 2022 party presidential poll in favour of Mallikarjun Kharge. 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
Congress appoints 29 observers amid alliance debate in Bihar
Patna: A day after state Congress legislators and senior functionaries met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in Delhi amid talks of a split and strain in the alliance with RJD, the All India Congress Committee on Saturday appointed 29 observers “for the selection of district presidents” to revamp the organisation following the humiliating defeat of the opposition Mahagathbandhan in the Bihar elections. Meanwhile, the RJD national executive committee meeting is scheduled to be held in Patna on Sunday. As Valmikinagar MLA Surendra Prasad told reporters that legislators conveyed their opinion to the leadership to sever ties with RJD and strengthen the organisation for “better results” in the future, union minister and HAM(S) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi said it would be good for Congress if it decided to break away from RJD. “Bahut der kar di hujoor aate aate (took too long to arrive). Except a few, people in general hate RJD,” Manjhi said during his ‘Litti with Manjhi’ programme in Patna, which was attended, among others, by governor Arif Mohammed Khan and CM Nitish Kumar. Surendra Prasad said Congress would try to contest the next elections on its own. He told the media that Rahul Gandhi had also given his consent. On speculation about Congress MLAs deserting the party, he said they assured Rahul that they had emerged victorious even amid the NDA wave and would not go anywhere. However, Chanpatia MLA Abhishek Ranjan told this newspaper on Saturday that no such decision was taken by the central leadership regarding severing ties with RJD. “The Delhi meeting on Friday was held to discuss strengthening Congress at district and block levels. RJD is still our respected ally. Some leaders may have their personal opinions on the alliance,” he said. Abhishek also denied reports of a possible change in the state Congress president and said discussions focused on reorganising the party at district and block levels, followed by booth-level strengthening. Sources said Purnia MP Pappu Yadav, who was a special invitee to the meeting, along with a few legislators and leaders, requested the central leadership to go solo in Bihar if the party was to regain lost ground. Congress won only six assembly seats in the Nov elections, compared to 19 in the 2020 polls. Senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan has categorically stated that the party suffered in the assembly elections due to RJD’s image and the alliance. 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
Congress dismisses defection buzz as state MLAs meet Kharge, Rahul
Patna/New Delhi: The Congress on Friday dismissed reports that its six newly elected MLAs in Bihar were on the verge of deserting the party, even as the legislators attended a closed-door meeting with the party’s top leadership in Delhi and were asked to step up public engagement across the state. The meeting, held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, was attended by leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, along with the six MLAs and senior leaders from Bihar. The interaction came amid speculation triggered by the delay in the appointment of the Congress legislature party (CLP) leader in the Bihar assembly and rumours of possible defections to the JD(U). After the meeting, Venugopal rubbished the speculation. “There were rumours that all our MLAs are deserting our party. But they were present in the meeting. These are all bogus news. These types of rumours being spread against the Congress are completely baseless,” he said. The high command also directed the MLAs and senior state leaders to actively take up both major and local issues of public concern and carry the party’s ideology directly to the people. This instruction was issued even as the decision on the CLP leader was deferred. “The matter related to the selection of the CLP leader was discussed at the meeting with the high command. It would be announced shortly by the high command,” a senior Congress lawmaker from the state, who attended the meeting, said. He added that the discussions were held in a “very cordial atmosphere”. Another party source said all six MLAs were present and each of them, along with MPs and MLCs, shared their views and concerns about the state unit. “None of the six MLAs absented themselves from the meeting,” the source said. Former state Congress chief Madan Mohan Jha said, “The participants returned happy and satisfied.” According to party sources, the meeting reviewed the assembly election outcome, organisational issues and the delay in naming the CLP leader, even as the budget session of the Bihar assembly is scheduled to begin from Feb 2. Rahul urged leaders to consistently raise people’s issues before the govt and return to the public, while Kharge stressed sustained mobilisation on the streets to rebuild the party in Bihar. 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