Patna: Congress leaders in Bihar’s capital took to the streets on Thursday, protesting what they allege was a “fire-sale” of state land to the Adani Group. Marchers raised slogans including “Land thieves, step down!” as they demanded accountability from the state government.
The party claims that the government in Bhagalpur allotted 1,050 acres of land and one million trees to the conglomerate for just one rupee per year. The protest began at Congress headquarters, Sadakat Ashram, and proceeded towards Rajendra Babu’s memorial at Bansghat. Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram said demonstrators planned to “surround the chief minister’s residence” in protest.
Police erected barricades at Rajapul in anticipation of the march, prepared to prevent protesters from advancing further. Key participants included Krishna Allavaru, Bihar Congress in-charge; Rajesh Ram; Congress Legislative Party leader Dr Shakeel Ahmed Khan; and Congress Legislative Council leader Dr Madan Mohan Jha.
The protest comes days after Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a press conference in Delhi. Khera accused the central government of coercively acquiring farmers’ land and alleged that arrangements were being made to “rig the elections in Bihar,” while simultaneously transferring assets to Adani Group before leaving office. He also claimed that some farmers were placed under house arrest during Modi’s visit to Bihar for the inauguration of a new plant.
