Patna: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, on the second day of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Bihar, finally addressed the political whirlwind surrounding JD(U) supremo and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s return to the BJP-led NDA. Rahul asserted that Nitish’s abrupt shift was triggered by his reluctance to conduct a caste survey, a demand placed by the Mahagathbandhan alliance. Speaking at a rally in Bihar, Rahul emphasized that the Chief Minister succumbed to the BJP’s influence, stating, “We don’t need Nitish.”
During the rally held at Purnea, Rahul disclosed the strategy employed by the opposition alliance, mentioning their insistence on a caste survey. He claimed that Nitish was cornered into conducting the survey but faced pressure from the BJP, which was against a caste count. This alleged standoff, according to Rahul, led Nitish to make a U-turn and rejoin the NDA. The caste survey confirmed the Yadavs as the largest group in Bihar, impacting both RJD and JD(U) political strategies.
Rahul criticized Nitish’s tendency to reverse decisions under pressure, asserting that a slight push could lead to a U-turn. The Congress leader emphasized that implementing a caste census was their responsibility, and they would carry it out.
The Mahagathbandhan rally at Purnea showcased unity among the Congress, RJD, and Left, despite the absence of RJD leaders Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who had to appear before the Enforcement Directorate. Rahul was accompanied by Congress leaders, including former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Jairam Ramesh, Kanhaiya Kumar, and state unit leaders. Left leaders, including CPI (M-L) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, also made their presence felt.
Rahul, breaking the silence that persisted since Nitish’s political maneuver, revisited a joke that circulated on social media after the JD(U) leader’s switch. He humorously recounted Nitish’s return to the Governor’s office after forgetting his shawl, underscoring the fluidity of Bihar’s political landscape.
Amidst the political commentary, Rahul shifted focus to farmers’ economic rights, pointing to a garland of makhanas around his neck. He highlighted the economic disparity faced by farmers who receive minimal compensation for their produce, emphasizing the need for economic justice.
