Sun Jan 19 02:37:00 UTC 2025: ## Congress to Contest Bihar Assembly Elections as Part of INDIA Bloc, Defying RJD Leader’s Statement

**Patna, Bihar** – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declared Saturday that the Congress party will contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections as part of the INDIA opposition alliance, contradicting a previous statement by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Yadav had suggested the INDIA bloc’s focus was solely on the Lok Sabha elections.

Gandhi, addressing party workers in Patna, emphasized the need to defeat the BJP and RSS in Bihar, urging Congress members to unite under the INDIA banner. He criticized the Nitish Kumar government, highlighting issues such as a failing education system, rampant inflation, and high youth unemployment. He also met with a delegation of students protesting alleged irregularities in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exams, promising to consider their request to visit their protest site.

While the RJD, a key member of the INDIA alliance, has granted Tejashwi Yadav expanded decision-making powers, including the ability to change the party’s name or symbol, Yadav has yet to publicly respond to Gandhi’s announcement regarding the Bihar elections. The RJD’s constitutional amendment will be presented at an upcoming state council meeting.

Gandhi’s visit also included a meeting with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family at their Patna residence. The Bihar assembly elections are scheduled for later this year. The current Bihar government is a coalition led by Nitish Kumar, with the JD(U) and BJP as major partners.

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