In a recent Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination for teachers’ recruitment, a controversy has erupted as candidates were asked to write the expanded form of the opposition alliance, INDIA. The question, included in the General Studies paper of phase two of the exam, has drawn criticism from the BJP, with spokesperson Arvind Singh accusing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of favoring the opposition’s coalition.
Responding to the controversy, Congress leader Asit Nath Tiwari distanced the party from the question but justified its inclusion as a general knowledge query. The question paper was prepared by the BPSC, with Tiwari asserting that it was “completely alright” if framed as a general knowledge question.
The INDIA bloc, comprising opposition parties, was formed with the primary objective of defeating the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls.