Rahul Gandhi says Modi can ‘dance for votes’, BJP hits back

Patna: As Bihar heads into Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a rally in Muzaffarpur’s Sakra constituency on Wednesday, accusing him of caring only about votes and not the people’s suffering.

“Narendra Modi is not concerned about anything except votes. If you tell him to dance on stage and promise to vote for him, he will start dancing. He can do anything to get votes,” Gandhi told the crowd amid rain.

The Leader of Opposition alleged that the Prime Minister dramatises religious sentiments for political gain. “During Chhath, people were bathing in the Yamuna River, while Modi was bathing in a special swimming pool built for himself. This shows he has nothing to do with the faith of Bihar — he only wants your votes,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi also claimed that Modi’s policies have favoured industrialists at the cost of farmers and small businesses. “After elections, Modi disappears from the lives of farmers and the poor. He destroyed small industries and benefits only big industrialists. Our dream is to make things ‘Made in Bihar’, not ‘Made in China’,” he said.

Gandhi was joined on stage by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani. The INDIA bloc leaders urged voters to “uproot the double-engine government” of the BJP and JD(U), alleging that it had betrayed the poor and backward communities.

The Congress leader accused the NDA government of neglecting education and employment in Bihar. “Paper leaks have ruined the future of hardworking youth. Biharis are forced to migrate for education and jobs. You will find them living under the AIIMS flyover in Delhi, struggling to survive,” he said.

He reiterated the opposition bloc’s promise to conduct a nationwide caste census and focus on social justice. “We demanded a caste census, but PM Modi and the BJP remain silent. They are against social justice. Nitish Kumar is under BJP’s control,” Gandhi added.

Concluding his speech, he urged voters to bring change in Bihar. “Now is the time to change this government. We will form a government that represents every caste and every religion — a government for all Indians. This is the Grand Alliance’s guarantee,” he said, promising to establish one of India’s best universities in Bihar within five years.

BJP slams Gandhi over remarks

The BJP strongly condemned Rahul Gandhi’s comments, accusing him of insulting Bihar’s culture and the Chhath festival.

BJP national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said Gandhi’s remarks reflected “contempt and hatred” towards Hindu faith and Bihar’s traditions. “His words about Chhath Puja are condemnable. The people of Bihar will ensure a massive defeat of the Mahagathbandhan for insulting their faith,” Trivedi said.

Trivedi alleged that Gandhi’s comments expose the Congress party’s “disdain for Hindu dharma” and accused him of hypocrisy. “It is drama when Rahul Gandhi wears a janeu over a kurta for cameras, visits a temple, and talks about his gotra. The Prime Minister’s devotion is not drama — he fasts during Navaratra and did so for 11 days during the Ram temple inauguration,” he said.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP’s in-charge for the Bihar polls, also demanded a public apology. “Rahul Gandhi’s remarks are a big insult to Chhath Puja and have deeply hurt crores of devotees. His words reflect hatred for Sanatan culture and show his frustration over an inevitable defeat,” Pradhan said on X.

Pradhan further accused Gandhi, Yadav, and their alliance of having “always crushed the aspirations of Bihar’s poor, farmers, women, and youth while promoting jungle raj.”

“In their desperation, they are resorting to indecent language. But the people of Bihar want development and good governance, not dynastic politics and hatred,” he added.