Rahul Gandhi's Voter Rights Journey in Katihar:
The political climate is heating up in Bihar with the upcoming 2025 assembly elections. Today (Saturday), the opposition INDIA Grand Alliance's Voter Rights Journey arrived in Katihar. Joining this journey were Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Dipankar Bhattacharya from the Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, and Mukesh Sahni from the Vikassheel Insaan Party.
Addressing a rally in Kadwa, Katihar, Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce critique of the central Modi government. He accused the BJP of attempting to dismantle the Constitution and attacking the rights of Dalits, tribals, and backward classes.
Closure of Opportunities in Military and Public Sectors
Rahul Gandhi alleged that due to the central government's policies, doors are closing for Dalits and backward classes in the army and public sectors—a situation that did not used to exist.
Theft of Voting Rights
Rahul warned that the voting rights of millions of people in Bihar are being stolen, and the BJP is trying to replicate election manipulation like in Maharashtra and Haryana. He urged the public, "Do not let even one vote be lost."
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In his speech, Rahul Gandhi stressed the need to protect democracy and the Constitution, sending a message to the public to stay vigilant.
During the journey, Rahul also met with farmers engaged in makhana cultivation. Picking up makhana seeds in the field, he engaged in a 20–25 minute conversation with Mohammed Sultan and his team. He understood the challenges and efforts of the farmers and discussed their queries.
Sultan explained that the cost involved is approximately 70,000 to 80,000 INR, and when makhana is priced at 4,000-5,000 INR, it results in about 1,50,000 to 1,70,000 INR earnings. If the rates are low, they suffer losses even on capital investment. Laborers earn about 40 INR per kilo for picking makhana, working 5-7 hours in water daily, which damages their hands. The laborers expressed that due to the lack of companies or work opportunities in Bihar, they endure this challenging work.
