Mayawati damages Akhilesh’s formula:After Dalits, major OBC meeting convened; Muslim brotherhood Committee formed
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati is going to hold the fourth major meeting within a month. On November 1, BSP has called a meeting of backward classes in Lucknow. Usually, this meeting was held on the 11th of every month. This meeting was conducted by State President Vishwanath Pal, Mewalal Gautam, and State Treasurer and National General Secretary Ram Avatar Mittal. But for the first time, the date of this meeting has been changed. The meeting notice has also been issued from Mayawati’s office. According to party sources, after Dalits, BSP is now focusing on backward classes. Along with this, Mayawati has also formed Muslim Brotherhood committees. Political experts view this move by BSP as a counter to SP’s PDA (Backward, Dalit, Minority) ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. What is BSP’s complete plan? What does BSP want to achieve by winning over OBCs and Muslims? The BSP meeting will include divisional in-charges of the Backward Class Brotherhood Committee and district in-charges of the Backward Class Brotherhood Committee. On October 9, along with a large number of Dalits, people from the OBC community also came to Lucknow. Now, Mayawati will call a meeting of the Backward Class Brotherhood Committee to thank them for this success. Additionally, they will visit the OBC community in their respective areas to express gratitude and inform them about the party’s policies and practices. The OBC population in the state is more than 50 percent. While 8 percent Yadavs are SP’s core voters, regional parties and satraps under the names of Kurmi-Nishad and Rajbhar keep collecting votes from these sections in different parties. The remaining 30 percent OBC community is scattered. How important is OBC community for BSP? Mayawati’s focus is on uniting these OBC castes. This is why BSP has given the command of state president to Vishwanath Pal, who comes from the extremely backward Pal community, for the second consecutive time. Senior journalist Syed Kasim, who closely monitors BSP’s politics, says – Mayawati is focused on sharpening social engineering. The formation of Dalit, OBC, Muslim brotherhood committees and their meetings are indicating in this direction. In 2007, BSP had several faces from the OBC community like Babu Kushwaha, Swami Prasad Maurya, Om Prakash Rajbhar, Ram Achal Rajbhar, Ram Prasad Chaudhary, Daddu Prasad, Sukhdev Rajbhar, and Phagu Chauhan. Many of them were given positions in Mayawati’s cabinet. BSP also formed Muslim Brotherhood committees Bahujan Samaj Party has started forming Muslim Brotherhood Committees in the state. Mayawati has appointed Mohammad Asad as the coordinator of the Muslim Brotherhood Committee in the Ayodhya division. Similarly, this responsibility has been given to Sarwar Malik in the capital, Lucknow. Currently, Muslim Brotherhood Committees are being formed at the division level. After this, Muslim Brotherhood Committees will be formed at the district level and then at the assembly level. Mayawati has already made it clear in her previous meeting that the formation of Brotherhood Committees of various communities across the state should be completed before January 2026. Senior journalist Ratan Mani Lal says – When BSP became a partner in power with SP’s support, it only had a Dalit support base. But after this, to increase its public base, it started connecting with different castes through brotherhood conferences. At that time, a large number of Muslims joined BSP. There were many prominent Muslim faces in the number two position in BSP. Nasimuddin Siddiqui was one of BSP’s prominent Muslim faces How much damage to SP’s PDA from BSP’s strategy Political analysts say that SP is showing the most panic from BSP’s social engineering formula. After the October 9 event, the way SP leaders attacked BSP chief Mayawati makes it clear that SP fears damage from BSP’s strategy. SP benefited the most from the PDA slogan in 2024. Then SP had received support from large populations of Muslims, OBCs, and Dalits. BSP has been engaged in deflating SP’s PDA through 4 major events in the last month. BSP has appealed to Dalit (D) voters through the October 9 program. Meanwhile, it has tried to send a big message by holding UP-Uttarakhand and National Executive meetings in Lucknow on October 16 and 19. Now, by calling a meeting of the Backward Class Brotherhood Committee on November 1 and forming the Muslim Brotherhood Committee, Mayawati has targeted SP’s Backward (P) and Minority (A) voters. Know why BSP is eyeing OBCs? Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
MP: We pledge not to have any relations with the Jatav community! Video of caste-based oath taken at Brahmin Mahapanchayat goes viral, sparking outrage across the state
The Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to live a life free from discrimination. Bhopal. Another case of Dalit oppression and caste discrimination has surfaced from Bhind district in Madhya Pradesh, heating up the political and social atmosphere across the state. First, the inhuman and humiliating brutality against a Dalit truck driver, and now, in the same district, an oath allegedly taken by some members of the Brahmin community to socially boycott the Jatav (Dalit) community has sparked deep anger among the Dalit community in the state. A viral video on social media shows some members of the alleged Mahapanchayat being made to swear not to have any relations with members of the Jatav community. This video has further fueled the spark of caste tension in the entire matter. This incident is set against the backdrop of a tragic incident that occurred on Diwali, in which Dalit youth Gyan Singh Jatav, a truck driver, was brutally treated by arrogant casteists. According to the victim, “I was forced into a vehicle at gunpoint, tied with iron chains, and beaten relentlessly. To humiliate me, I was forced to drink urine from a bottle. This wasn’t just violence, it was punishment in the name of caste. This is caste terror.” Even after the incident came to light, the victim’s side alleges that arrests are being delayed, while the accused are roaming freely. Now, a Mahapanchayat and a pledge to boycott In the latest video, it is being said from the stage of a meeting of the alleged Brahmin community that relations, communication, transactions, social interactions, and kinship with members of the Jatav community will not be maintained at any level. Dalit organizations, social activists, and political parties have called this a direct attack on constitutional norms. Legal experts say this falls squarely under the ambit of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Section 153-A (promoting enmity between communities) and Section 505 (attempting to spread hatred through rumours and speeches) of the Indian Penal Code. Under these sections, inciting hatred against any community, calling for social boycott, making provocative statements in public, and organising meetings that promote caste hatred are punishable offenses. In a conversation with The Mooknayak, legal expert Advocate Mayank Singh said, “The manner in which the oath to boycott a community is allegedly being administered in the video is not only socially dangerous but also a direct attack on constitutional values. Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality to all citizens, Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the basis of caste, and Article 17 completely abolishes untouchability and related practices. Therefore, a public declaration of boycotting a community is contrary to the fundamental principles of the Constitution, law, and justice.” He further said, “The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act considers such acts a serious crime because they are a deliberate attempt to socially, mentally, and economically oppress an individual or community. Sections 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code apply to statements and gatherings that promote hatred, tension, or division in society. In such cases, it is the duty of the police and administration to take immediate cognizance and take strict action so that the message of law, not hooliganism and caste frenzy, reaches society.” Azad Samaj Party’s Protest Azad Samaj Party National President Chandrashekhar Azad, in a post on X, described the entire incident as “an extreme form of caste terrorism.” He said, “Instead of punishing the perpetrators, a section of the upper caste society is holding mahapanchayats and vowing to boycott the Jatav community. This is a war against the Constitution, equality, and human dignity. If this is not terrorism, then what is it?” They have demanded from the government: – Immediate arrest of the accused and instigators. – An FIR should be filed against those organizing the Mahapanchayat under the SC/ST Act and sedition. – The victim’s family should be given security and respect. Bhind Superintendent of Police Asit Yadav, speaking to The Mooknayak on this matter, said that the police have taken cognizance of the viral video and an investigation is underway. He said, “The video has surfaced. The police are investigating the entire incident. Only after the investigation will necessary action be taken based on the facts. The case is currently under trial.” What does the Constitution say? The Constitution of India guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to live a life free from discrimination. It outlaws untouchability, caste exclusion, and social segregation, and also places an obligation on the state to ensure the safety and equal opportunities of the weaker sections of society. Therefore, insulting, harassing, or ostracizing any community is not only against human values but also a direct violation of constitutional provisions. This video is considered even more serious because it shows an attempt to legitimize mass boycotts—the same social system that Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar described as the basis of social slavery. Ankit Pachauri Courtesy: Hindi News
Kerala HC orders Bar Council to approve two seats for transgender students
Kochi, : The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to approve two seats for transgender students in all law colleges across the state. Justice V.G. Arun issued the interim order while hearing a petition seeking to expedite the decision on the proposal, which had been pending before the BCI. The court observed that the matter could not be kept waiting indefinitely for the Council to act. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that at an earlier session, the BCI had been directed to finalise a date for holding its General Council meeting to decide on the matter. However, the BCI’s standing counsel told the court that the proposal was placed before the Standing Committee for Legal Education, which, after deliberation, decided that the final call must be taken by the General Council. The standing counsel added that it was not possible to say when the next meeting of the General Council would be held. Taking note of this delay, Justice Arun remarked, “In my opinion, the issue cannot wait endlessly for the General Council of the Bar Council to meet.” Accordingly, the court issued an interim direction to the BCI to approve the Kerala Government’s request, communicated through a letter dated August 6, for the creation of two seats for transgender students across all law colleges in the state. The court also instructed that the approval should be given within ten days of receiving a copy of the order. The directive came while hearing a petition filed by a transgender woman who was denied admission to Government Law College, Kozhikode, despite qualifying in the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations’ Kerala Law Entrance Examination (KLEE) 2025. The petitioner also cited the landmark NALSA v. Union of India judgment and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, in support of her claim. Courtesy : AP7AM Note: This news is originally published on https:/ap7am.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit forum protests seeking completion of Ambedkar Bhavan project
Madikeri: Dalit Sangarsh Samithi members protested in Kushalnagar on Thursday, demanding the completion of the Ambedkar Bhavan project work. The activists warned the authorities that they would intensify the protest if no action was taken. “Ambedkar Bhavan project was sanctioned in Kushalnagar over a decade ago. However, no work has been completed to extend its facilities,” alleged Raju KB, samithi’s district convener. He explained that the under-construction building has become a shelter for illegal activities, as locals have turned it into a poker and alcohol hub. “The infrastructure is depleting even before its completion. Every night, the building is used for alleged illegal activities. The windowpanes and doors have been broken, and weeds have engulfed the building,” he said. The protesters demanded the immediate completion of the project, or else they would protest in front of the DC office. 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
Remembering ‘Dalit’ Subbaiah: The Voice of Caste Struggles and North Chennai’s Hip-Hop Scene
If there is a source of inspiration common to hip-hop musicians from north Chennai, it is ‘Dalit’ Subbaiah, the poet-singer, who died in 2022, but who continues to be a symbol of caste struggles through his songs — more than 400 of them written in his lifetime. Arivu, one of the well-known anti-caste rappers from north Chennai, says he grew up listening to Subbaiah’s songs. “He was not a trained singer, but he became our voice. He sang about people’s pain, which is why he continues to inspire the city’s hip-hop scene,” says the rapper. Subbaiah’s songs also inspired a series of other vocalists such as playback singer Chinnaponnu. So, who was ‘Dalit’ Subbaiah? Born Karuppan Pichai in Sivagangai district in 1952, his primary school teacher named him Subbaiah, believing that the name, one of Murugan’s 12, would bring goodness in his life. But Subbaiah grew up witnessing caste discrimination, not even being allowed to use the same road as the dominant caste. Drawn to Marxist-Leninist movements in college, he left law school midway after his uncle’s death and began selling rationalist and Ambedkarite books at political rallies. Although he had started writing and singing songs when he was in school, it was when he worked with Samathuva Samudhaya Iyakkam (an activist group that protested against the Koodankulam nuclear power plant in the late 1980s) that he turned his music into his form of protest.Subbaiah founded Viduthalai Kalai Kural Kuzhu (VKKK) in 1995, by which time he had written hundreds of songs on caste, politics, organised and unorganised workers, Periyar, Ambedkar, communism, and the life of a villager, publishing them under his own Spartacus Publications. Subbaiah swore never to write about god or religion, only about social issues. He would say, ‘We sing about Periyar, never about Pillaiyar; we sing about Ambedkar, never about Ayyappan’,” says VKKK troupe member Karthikeyan R. “Subbaiah was a singer who never stopped fighting,” says filmmaker Giridharan M K P, whose award-winning documentary ‘Dalit Subbaiah: Voice of the Rebels’ released this year has been showcased at several international film festivals.“Subbaiah performed on the streets all his life but was not really recognised outside the community,” says Giridharan. His team had originally set out to interview Subbaiah in 2021, but before filming could begin, he fell ill, and what was meant to be a documentary about Subbaiah’s life turned into a record of his passing. “He refused film offers for his lyrics, insisting that his songs remain free for public use,” says Karthikeyan. “He never sang for fame or money. When he got paid, Subbaiah would distribute the money to the musicians and singers, and keep a little for himself.” At home, those choices translated into a life of struggle. His wife Subbalakshmi, who lives in a small TNHB flat in Puducherry, recalls that even in his final days, Subbaiah cared less for himself than for his 1,000 books that had got drenched in the rainwater that had entered their house. “He spent his last three days trying to dry them. He wanted people to make use of these books,” she says. Manimegalai K, lead singer in VKKK, says the band still begins every concert with ‘Vella mudiyathavar Ambedkar. Vengaiyay pol poradiya. Veeran yaar? Vera yaar’ (Ambedkar, the undefeated. The one who fought like a tiger. Who is that warrior? Who else), because that was the song he always led with. While the troupe continues to keep Subbaiah’s legacy alive, Manimegalai says young talent is hard to find. “We had a young girl join us for a performance. But hearing the lyrics, her parents got scared that she may get arrested and stopped her from coming. We want Subbaiah’s songs to reach the younger generation because he believed the day his songs are not relevant is the day we win as a society,” says Manimegalai. Email your feedback with name and address to southpole.toi@timesofindia.com THE PEOPLE’S POET An admirer of Soviet literature, Subbaiah named his son Gorky (with no Tamil surname), after the Russian writer Maxim Gorky, which led to him being bullied at school. Gorky told his father he wanted his name changed, but Subbaiah accompanied him to school the next day and spoke about the life of Maxim Gorky. He was never bullied after that. Subbaiah never composed songs on the living but was so inspired by Ilaiyaraaja, who brought folk instruments into mainstream music that he broke his own rule and wrote a song in honour of the composer. During a 2015 meeting of the communist party Makkal Viduthalai in Chennai, in his speech Subbaiah said: ‘They call me ‘Dalit’ Subbaiah because I oppose caste atrocities. But I also fight for the working class and the oppressed. I think for all and fight for all, but I worry that I will be known as ‘Dalit’ Subbaiah as long as I live.” Aranga Gunasekaran, leader of Tamizhaga Makkal Puratchi Kazhagam got on stage and named him ‘Lenin’ Subbaiah. In his song ‘Tamizhaga Arasiyal’, Subbaiah mocked Tamil Nadu politics, writing about “wastrels from cinema dreaming of becoming chief ministers and evading taxes” at a time when politics was dominated by film icons such as M Karunanidhi, M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa. In 2020, Subbaiah sang: ‘Modi enbadhu ellam, verum mugamoodi dhaane. Valarchi enbadhu ellam verum vaarthai jaalam dhaane’ (Everything about Modi is as concealing as a mask. Development is nothing but lip service). 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
Govt-backed feudal forces behind Dalit atrocities: Akhilesh
Lucknow: Citing the mob lynching of a Dalit man in Rae Bareli and a case of Dalit elderly who was forced to lick his urine in Lucknow as examples, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said that “feudal forces enjoying protection of the BJP govt have added to atrocities, injustice and crime against Dalits in UP. The former UP CM described such incidents as attempts to humiliate the PDA community, comprising Pichde (backward classes), Dalits and slpsankhyaks (minorities) who have come together to further their struggle for social justice. “Criminals and those with feudal mindset are feeling emboldened as they are enjoying protection from the BJP govt. Discrimination is rampant at every level. Members of the PDA community are being blatantly deprived of their jobs, reservation and rights. Lynching of a Dalit man in Rae Bareli and humiliation meted out to a Dalit elderly in Lucknow are only two examples of how the deprived and the neglected Dalit community is being treated across the state,” Akhilesh said. “The police do not act against antisocial elements due to pressure from the powers that be. The arrogance of this govt is at its peak. The BJP is misusing state power and politicising the police,” he said, adding that such incidents were an indication that the BJP was shaken by the rapidly growing unity of the PDA community. The SP chief said Dalits, backward classes, women and minorities will get justice only when the BJP is voted out of govt. “People are waiting to vote for the 2027 Assembly polls. Once the BJP is voted out, discrimination will end and people will regain their rights, reservation and opportunities for development,” Akhilesh said. Senior party functionary Prof Sudhir Panwar said the Rae Bareli and Lucknow incidents have come as a shocker for the civilised society in the country. “Such incidents reflect how certain unscrupulous elements are feeling emboldened under the BJP govt. They are not afraid of the law of the land and this audacity comes only with some kind of assurances from the powers that be,” Panwar 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
Dalit laborer attacked with iron rod in Shivrajpur: Rogues accused of snatching money and using casteist slurs
Prashant Kumar, a Dalit laborer returning from work in Shivrajpur (Kanpur Nagar), Kanpur, was attacked with an iron rod by some people. Prashant was seriously injured in the attack. The incident occurred on Ganga Road. Victim Prashant Kumar, a resident of Shivrajpur, stated that while returning home, Lalan Thakur (son of Annu Thakur) and Anshu Thakur (son of Baua Thakur), residents of the town, abused him. They also took money from Prashant’s pocket and hurled casteist slurs at him. When Prashant resisted, the two accused attacked him on the head with an iron rod, causing serious injuries to his face and head. Shivrajpur Police Station in-charge Varun Sharma stated that a report has been filed based on the victim’s complaint. The injured Prashant has been sent to the hospital for first aid. Police are searching for the accused. Sunil Kumar Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit youth injured at a birthday party in Greater Noida dies; justice will be served – CM Yogi assures the victim’s family
Aniket, a Dalit youth, died in an attack during a birthday celebration in Greater Noida. Police have arrested two of the seven accused, while the rest are absconding. The deceased’s family and villagers are demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. Dalit youth injured at a birthday party in Greater Noida dies Manish Singh, Greater Noida: Aniket, a Dalit youth injured in an attack during a birthday celebration in Greater Noida, died during treatment on Friday morning. The incident occurred eight days ago and occurred in the Rabupura police station area. Aniket and several members of his family were injured in the incident. Approximately 12 people living in his neighborhood attacked Aniket and his family due to an old rivalry. Following the incident, police registered a case against seven people based on the victim’s complaint. Police have arrested two of the accused and sent them to jail, while the remaining accused remain at large. Upon receiving the news of Aniket’s death, the family and villagers became enraged. They blocked a road a short distance from the police station in the town and created a ruckus, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. Upon receiving the news of the death, police and administrative officials immediately arrived at the scene. They assured them that the accused would be arrested quickly, after which the crowd was calmed. The incident occurred on the night of October 16th, when Aniket had gone to attend his uncle Sumit’s birthday celebration. The family alleges that several people, including Yuvraj, Jeetu, Rachit, Bharat, Ankit, Pawan, and Sunil, attacked them. They also allege that the neighbors are bullying and exerting pressure in a controversial manner. Police station in-charge Sujit Upadhyay said that on Thursday evening, after celebrating a birthday party, some people attacked the Scheduled Caste youths walking on the street with sticks and iron rods. Sumit and Aniket, residents of the Ambedkar Mohalla, were seriously injured in the attack. Based on the family’s complaint, the police registered a case against twelve people, including seven named ones. All the accused were absconding since the incident. On Sunday, the police arrested the named accused, Jitendra alias Jitu, and Yuvraj, residents of Rabupura. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused, and the police claim that all will be arrested soon. Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh expressed deep sorrow over the Rabupura Aniket murder case and stated that the culprits will not be spared under any circumstances. He stated that the state government is fully sensitive to law and order and will take the strictest possible action against those involved. Early in the morning, Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh visited the deceased Aniket’s home and consoled the victim’s family. The Jewar MLA visited the victim’s family today and consoled them. During this time, Dhirendra Singh arranged a phone conversation with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during which the Chief Minister assured the family of justice. Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh further stated that he and the state government stand with the victim’s family. There will be no laxity in pursuing justice, and strict action will be taken against the culprits. Contributed by: Manish Singh • Edited by: Alok Bhadauria About the Author Alok Singh Bhadauria is an Assistant News Editor at Navbharat Times. He has been with the Times of India Group since 2008. After working at Navbharat Times, Delhi (newspaper), he has been working at NBT Online for the past seven years. He has also worked for prestigious organizations such as Doordarshan and Gaon Connection. Courtesy: Hindi News
Rahul Gandhi missing from the Grand Alliance’s press conference poster, sparking discussions in political circles about showing Congress its place.
Bihar Elections: Pappu Yadav, speaking to the media, said that Rahul Gandhi’s picture should have been on the Grand Alliance’s poster. Meanwhile, only Tejashwi Yadav’s picture was visible at the Grand Alliance’s press conference. A controversy has erupted within the Grand Alliance over Lalu Prasad Yadav finally showing the Congress its place. Patna: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a jab at the Congress in Bihar just hours before the Grand Alliance’s joint press conference in Patna on Thursday. The BJP attacked the Congress citing the absence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s picture from the press conference posters. Sources said the press conference was scheduled to formally announce Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as the Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate for the Bihar elections. However, before this crucial announcement, the BJP highlighted the RJD’s dominance within the Grand Alliance. BJP’s Sarcasm BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia compared Tejashwi Yadav to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on this issue. Bhatia posted on X, “After Aurangzeb, now Tejaszeb! No other king was so insecure. The pictures of the national president, fodder scamster Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Rahul Gandhi are missing. The legacy of Jungle Raj and the status of the Congress are both missing from the poster.” He tweeted and tagged Tejashwi Yadav and other RJD and Congress leaders. Questions to the Congress Party BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawala posted on X, “Joint Press Conference? But only one picture. ‘Stealing the honor’ of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. Has Congress and Rahul been shown their place?” It should be noted that Rahul Gandhi’s photo is missing from the poster, raising questions about what kind of alliance this is. The BJP has raised questions about the absence of a leader’s photo from the joint press conference. Meanwhile, Pappu Yadav has also taken a dig at the poster. Pappu Yadav’s Statement Independent MP Pappu Yadav’s statement on this issue added fuel to the fire when he said that votes would be cast on Gandhi’s photo. He said that voting would only be done on Rahul Gandhi’s photo, not anyone else’s. There should have been photos of all three alliance leaders. This is not right and will not send the right message. We can win Bihar only on the face of Rahul Gandhi. We have no other way to win here. Edited by: Ashutosh Kumar Pandey About the Author Ashutosh Kumar Pandey works for Navbharat Times Online. He has been active in digital, print, and electronic journalism for over 22 years. He specializes in digging into the past pages of politics and uncovering unheard stories. He presents political anecdotes in a witty manner. Courtesy: Hindi News
Congress has once again surrendered to the RJD. Why does the “Ekla Chalo” movement derail in Bihar? Understand this.
Bihar Election News: Ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress party, which had been adamant about its stand, has now suddenly backtracked. It has accepted Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership in Bihar. The question is, if the Congress is going to surrender, then why is it glaring? Patna: On October 23rd, something happened at Hotel Maurya in Patna that was not expected, at least this time. It was becoming clear that the Congress was ready to throw off the RJD’s crutches in the Bihar Assembly elections. But two days before October 23rd, the sudden entry of former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot changed the entire scenario. The changed scene on October 23rd On this day, the media received an invitation to a press conference. This invitation specifically came from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. The time was set for 11:30 am. But the posters displayed outside and inside made one thing clear: Congress has once again surrendered to the RJD. We’re not saying this, but it’s being widely discussed in political circles. The buzz is so intense that even the average person in Patna is seen discussing the same thing at a tea stall or a Kachori stall. Congress has done it again. This time, it seemed, it would show its strength and demonstrate its power by separating from the RJD. But in the end, it failed again. Congress’s Surrender to the RJD These posters made one thing clear: Tejashwi Yadav would be the Grand Alliance’s CM candidate in Bihar. The same Tejashwi Yadav whose CM candidacy had been silent on the question of Rahul Gandhi during the Voter Rights Yatra. Following this, Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru also demonstrated the backbone of the Bihar Congress and refused to bow down to the RJD. But how did this sudden change of stance occur? Many stories are being fabricated about this. The first story: Lalu’s call! One story is that Congress had tried to woo the Left and VIP to make Tejashwi Yadav, or RJD, the younger brother of the alliance. But the shrewd Lalu Prasad Yadav realized that the less experienced Tejashwi Yadav had fallen into this trap. Therefore, Lalu Prasad Yadav must have spoken directly to Sonia Gandhi in Delhi and told her that if Congress had its way, he would field RJD candidates against all of her party’s candidates. This is why Ashok Gehlot was given the responsibility to resolve the matter. But in Patna, Lalu Yadav must have bluntly told Ashok Gehlot the same thing. Second Story – Congress Got Scared! Another story is that seeing RJD’s stubborn stance, Congress must have feared that if RJD’s votes were not transferred to Congress candidates out of anger, it would be a disaster. Therefore, it was best to handle the situation in a timely manner. That is why Ashok Gehlot himself had to come forward and admit in a press conference to all the parties in the Grand Alliance that the election would be fought on Tejashwi’s face. What Political Experts Say Patna’s renowned political expert and educationist, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, says, “Since 1990, Congress has never been able to muster the courage to strengthen its base. It has always proved itself dwarfed by the RJD. Naturally, its own workers become disillusioned and apathetic, and then they turn to other parties. The RJD understands this weakness of the Congress very well and always exploits it through pressure politics.” The RJD has been exploiting the Congress’s weaknesses from the very beginning. The real question: What is the matter? This was when the late Sitaram Kesri was the national president of the Congress. In the 1990s, Congress supported Lalu Prasad Yadav and helped him remain in power. After this, when Lalu Prasad Yadav split from the Janata Dal and formed the Rashtriya Janata Dal in 1997, Congress remained with him for power. It is said that in this way, Congress gradually alienated its base vote bank, which to this day has remained with it due to Lalu Yadav and has gone to the BJP. Authored by: Rishikesh Narayan Singh About the Author Rishikesh Narayan Singh is in charge of Bihar-Jharkhand for Navbharat Times Digital. His 20-year journey in journalism spanned from Janmat TV, IBN7, ETV Bihar-Jharkhand, News18 Bihar-Jharkhand, to Times Internet. After starting in the national capital, Delhi, he now works in Bihar. Courtesy: Hindi News