Patna Rally: Rahul Stresses Ideological Battle, Kharge's 'Tea' Jibe At Nitish 'Chacha', Modi 'Maama' — Who Said What

Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav were among the prominent leaders to address the 'Jan Vishwas Rally' in Bihar's Patna.

(L to R) Sitaram Yechury, Mallikarjun Kharge, Lalu Prasad, Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav at the 'Jan Vishwas Rally' in Bihar's Patna.

Source : X/@Kharge

Top leaders of the opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A. came together in Bihar's capital Patna on Sunday for a mammoth rally, setting the stage for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge leaders joined the Opposition leaders at the 'Jan Vishwas Maha Rally' in Patna, where they launched scathing attacks on the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

The event also saw the presence of top leaders like RJD's national president Lalu Prasad, his son Tejashwi Yadav, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary D Raja, and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav from the Samajwadi Party.

Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, Lalu, Tejashwi, Akhilesh Yadav Rally For Support Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls

• Addressing the gathering, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi emphasised Bihar's historical significance in national politics, stating, "Whenever there is a transformation in the country, it begins from Bihar and then reaches the rest of the country." He highlighted the ideological battle in the country, contrasting "hatred, violence, and arrogance" with "love, respect, and brotherhood", as reported by news agency ANI.
  
  Gandhi underscored the I.N.D.I.A. bloc's ethos, describing it as a beacon of love amidst the marketplace of hatred.

  #WATCH | Bihar: At RJD's 'Jan Vishwas Maha Rally' at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "Whenever there is a transformation in the country, it begins from Bihar and then reaches the rest of the country. Bihar is the political nerve centre of our country...… pic.twitter.com/Uc0c95ambX

  — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2024

  Rahul Gandhi also alleged that farmers, youth, and marginalised sections of society are facing injustices, accusing the central government of neglecting the plight of 73 percent of population that belongs to marginalised sections of society. Furthermore, he criticised the Agniveer scheme, claiming it to be detrimental to the interests of the country's youth, as per news agency PTI.
  
  "The government is working only for two-three super-rich people and neglecting Dalits and backward classes who comprise 73 per cent of the population," PTI quoted him as saying.
  
  
• In a scathing attack on the BJP-led government, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Modi of failing to deliver on his promises. Kharge questioned the veracity of Modi's assurances regarding job creation, black money retrieval, and housing for all. He accused the BJP of betraying the trust of the people and engaging in manipulative tactics devoid of factual basis.
  

  "PM Modi is trying to destroy the country. He says 'meri guarantee,' he does not say anymore 'BJP's or government's guarantee.' Now let me tell you the guarantees of PM Modi. In 2014, he said that 2 crore jobs would be given to the youth of this country every year, did he do so? He said he will bring back black money and give Rs 15 lakhs in people's bank accounts? Did that happen? Did PM Modi lie?  He also said that 'pakka' house will be made for everyone, now let me ask you again, did he do so?" Mallikarjun Kharge said.

   "His and his party's guarantee is only to betray the people of this country...Fights that are not based on real facts, are mere manipulation," he added, as per ANI.

• The Congress chief also took a swipe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar advising the RJD not to ally with him if "Chacha" comes back. "Today, the INDIA Alliance is facing the BJP on the battleground... Through agencies, the BJP is trying to instill fear in us. This is not possible as we are not here to bow down before them... Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said 'main thode din ke liye bahar gaya tha, main phir wapas aaya hoon. Aapke charnon mein hi rahunga (I went out for a few days, I have returned and will remain at your feet)... Those who are not strong ideologically, cannot fight and you (Tejashwi Yadav) should not take 'Chacha' Nitish back if he returns again..."
  
  In an apparent dig at PM Narendra Modi, he said, "Aapke Chacha Maama ki chai peene ke liye gaye hain. (Your Chacha has gone back to drink tea from Maama)."

  #WATCH | Bihar: Speaking at RJD's 'Jan Vishwas Maha Rally' at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "Today, the INDIA Alliance is facing the BJP on the battleground... Through agencies, the BJP is trying to instil fear in us. This is not… pic.twitter.com/KSpOa0tfQ2

  — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2024

  He cited former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav as an example alleging cases to silence him and said Lalu "refused to bow down before the government."
  
  
• Former Bihar CM and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav invoked Bihar's historical legacy, highlighting the state's influence on national politics. "Bihar has given lots of great personalities. In the same Gandhi Maidan, leaders of the country have held rallies and meetings. A message went to the whole country from here. Bihar's opinion has so much power that the people of the country imitate what Bihar decides. Tomorrow also, the same is going to happen," he remarked, as per ANI.
  
  
• Meanwhile, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, addressing the gathering, lambasted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing him of ideological weakness and opportunism. He questioned the credibility of Nitish Kumar's promises, particularly in the context of employment generation saying, "They (BJP) say 'Modi ki Guarantee', but who will take the guarantee of Nitish Kumar?.
  
  "You all know that uncle (Nitish Kumar) has turned away but may he remain happy wherever he is. From whom did you first hear about 10 lakh jobs? We respect and honour Nitish Kumar because he is our uncle but he is getting posters put up in Patna that employment means Nitish Kumar," he commented, as per ANI.
  
  "This is the same Nitish Kumar when we had promised jobs, he had asked from where will we get them. During our tenure, we got the caste census done, got the reservation limit increased to 75 per cent, and increased the reservation limit for extremely backward people by 24 per cent. We did the work in Bihar which was not done in the country since independence," Tejashwi Yadav added. 
  
  
• Tejashwi Yadav thanked the Congress for its support and reaffirmed his commitment to job creation, asserting that the fight was one of ideology. He criticised the BJP for its alleged machinations and falsehoods, pledging to continue the struggle against alleged authoritarianism and corruption. "We have been saying from the beginning that Modi ji is a factory of lies. In the last election, BJP had 39 out of 40 seats. Ask their MPS what work they have done in their districts," he said, as reported by ANI.
  
  
• Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, echoing the sentiments of unity among opposition parties, emphasised the need to protect constitutional values.
  
  He rallied for support, suggesting that a united front from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar could challenge the BJP's dominance. "On one hand, Uttar Pradesh is giving the slogan of '80 harao', Bihar is also raising the slogan of '40 harao'. What will happen to BJP if both UP and Bihar make them lose 120 seats?... In 2024, 'Samvidhaan Manthan' is going to take place. On one side, there are the protectors of the Constitution and on the other side, there are the destroyers of the Constitution," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, as quoted by ANI.

The 'Jan Vishwas Rally' marked the culmination of Tejashwi Yadav's 'Jan Vishwas Yatra', aimed at mobilising public support for his vision of job creation, encapsulated in the slogan 'Naukri matlab Tejashwi' (Tejashwi means jobs), as per PTI.