As the political temperature rises in Bihar ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor launched a scathing attack on Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of offering mere tokenism instead of meaningful political engagement with the state.
In a sharp interview with ANI, Kishor questioned Rahul Gandhi’s dedication to Bihar and dared him to prove his grassroots connection by spending just one night in a village.
“Rahul ji keeps visiting Bihar briefly but never commits to any real outreach. If he has ever spent even one night in a village here, let the nation know. If he can do that, we’ll accept it,” Kishor challenged.
He didn’t stop there. Kishor criticized Gandhi for allegedly patronizing Biharis from afar, stating:
“Tum Delhi mein bethkar Bihariyo ke naam par haste ho aur yahan aake gyaan dete ho (You sit in Delhi mocking Biharis and then come here to lecture us),” he said.
Targeting Revanth Reddy Over ‘Bihari DNA’ Remark
Kishor also took Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to task over his controversial comments, in which Reddy reportedly said that “labour is in the DNA of Biharis.” Kishor demanded an apology and condemned Congress for fostering such narratives.
“Revanth Reddy insulted Biharis by implying that their natural role is to do menial work. He said this to undermine KCR-era officers, many of whom were from Bihar,” said Kishor.
“Aap Bihariyo ko kehte ho ki vo paida hue hai mazduri karne ke liye aur phir yahan aakar gyaan dete ho? (You say Biharis are born to be laborers, and then come here and preach to us?),” he questioned.
Kishor Demands Apology from Rahul Gandhi
Drawing historical context, Kishor reminded the public of Rajiv Gandhi’s 1989 promise to make Bihar a development hub — a promise that, he said, remains unfulfilled.
“Where did the funds and promises go? Congress stayed in power, so what exactly did it do for Bihar?” Kishor asked.
He further demanded that Rahul Gandhi apologize to Biharis before launching his campaign in the state, referencing the Congress’s apology to the Sikh community for the 1984 riots.
“If you believe Biharis are only suited for labour, then why are you even campaigning here? Go to Telangana and seek votes there,” he said, challenging the rationale of Gandhi’s outreach.
‘Congress Merely Carries Lalu’s Bag in Bihar’
When asked about Congress’s chances in the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, Kishor sarcastically remarked:
“It will all depend on Lalu ji’s charity. For decades now, Congress in Bihar is just an extension of the RJD. If Rahul Gandhi thinks he’s politically strong, let him demand 40% of the seats and contest independently. Let’s see how that turns out,” he quipped.
Kishor further asserted that Congress lacks any real political base in Bihar, claiming it merely follows the lead of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Bihar Assembly Elections: What Lies Ahead?
The Bihar Assembly elections are anticipated to be held in October or November 2025, though the Election Commission of India has yet to confirm the dates.
The NDA (BJP-JD(U)-LJP) aims to retain power, while the INDIA bloc (RJD-Congress-Left parties) plans to dethrone Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Meanwhile, Jan Suraaj, led by Prashant Kishor, positions itself as a third front and alternative to both major alliances.
Current Assembly Strength:
| Alliance | Total Seats | Party Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| NDA | 131 | BJP – 80, JD(U) – 45, HAM(S) – 4, Ind. – 2 |
| INDIA Bloc | 111 | RJD – 77, Congress – 19, CPI(ML) – 11, CPI(M) – 2, CPI – 2 |
| Others | 1 | Independent / Smaller Parties |
Kishor, with his Jan Suraaj movement and mass-contact campaign across rural Bihar, continues to reshape the political discourse by directly challenging long-standing narratives and urging voters to look beyond traditional party lines.
