Rahul Gandhi Alleges BJP Plot to "Hijack" Bihar Elections, Attacks Party’s Governance Model

Bhubaneswar : Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of making deliberate attempts to "hijack" the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, drawing a parallel with political events in Maharashtra.

Speaking at the 'Samvidhan Bachao Samavesh' (Save the Constitution Rally) in Bhubaneswar, Gandhi charged the BJP with eroding democratic values and systematically attacking the Constitution across the country.

"Just like Maharashtra, there are efforts to hijack elections in Bihar. The BJP is attacking the Constitution at every level," he said.

Gandhi stated that the INDIA bloc, during a meeting held on Thursday, resolved to resist any manipulation of the electoral process in Bihar, where Assembly polls are anticipated later this year.

He also lashed out at the Election Commission of India, accusing it of partiality. "The Election Commission is not performing its duty. It is working to serve the BJP, not the people," he alleged.

Criticising the BJP’s economic model, Gandhi claimed the party caters only to a select group of five or six major industrialists. "This government is not for the poor or the middle class—it’s a government for a few billionaires," he said.

Turning his attention to Odisha, Gandhi accused the BJP-led state government of neglecting tribal communities by failing to implement key legislations like the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA). He asserted that tribals have the rightful claim to forest land, water, and natural resources.

"The ‘Jal, Jangal, Jameen’ (water, forest, land) belongs to tribals, and it will stay with them. But this government has not implemented PESA and is denying their legal rights," he said.

Gandhi concluded by reaffirming the Congress party’s commitment to tribal rights, promising full enforcement of the PESA Act and related legislation if voted to power.