Patna – In a significant political gathering held at the Bihar office of the Congress party, Sadaqat Ashram, RJD President Lalu Prasad voiced his conviction about an impending shift in the political landscape. The occasion was the commemoration of Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Shri Krishna Singh, on his 136th birth anniversary. Prasad announced that a substantial rally, mobilizing parties in opposition to the BJP, is set to transpire in the state capital shortly.
Speaking at this event, Lalu Prasad refrained from explicitly mentioning whether the forthcoming rally would be orchestrated by the newly formed opposition alliance known as INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) or the Mahagathbandhan, the prevailing coalition in Bihar, in which the RJD stands as the principal constituent.
Prasad passionately asserted that the BJP would face defeat in the imminent assembly elections across five states, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. He exuded confidence in the INDIA alliance’s capacity to secure governance at the national level following the 2024 parliamentary elections.
“BJP is already grappling with adversity, and the countdown to its electoral setback has commenced across the nation. In a candid exchange with senior RSS members, I have been apprised that, in the 2024 parliamentary polls, BJP is slated to win only one Lok Sabha seat in Bihar, specifically in Patna. The INDIA alliance is poised to ascend to national leadership in 2024, distributing power in accordance with the nation’s demographic distribution,” proclaimed Prasad.
The RJD leader, a pivotal figure within the INDIA coalition, reassured the public about the leadership question within the alliance. “Curiosity abounds regarding the selection of the leader for the INDIA alliance. Let me clarify, there are no impediments on this front. The leader will be elected through a collective process after the polls,” he asserted.
The event was orchestrated under the auspices of Bihar Congress President and Rajya Sabha member, Akhilesh Prasad Singh. Notable dignitaries attending included Deputy Leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwary, AICC National Secretary, Ajay Kapoor, and prominent figures from the State Congress.
Lalu Prasad also touched upon the subject of a caste-based survey in Bihar and cited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s endorsement of a nationwide caste census upon the ascension of the INDIA coalition to power. “Rahul Gandhi ardently champions the cause of social justice and has already announced that a comprehensive caste-based census will be conducted nationwide once the INDIA bloc takes the reins of governance,” he emphasized.
Paying heartfelt homage to Sri Krishna Singh, Prasad reminisced that during his tenure in office, he had observed a dearth of recognition for Bihar’s first Chief Minister among his own community, the Bhumihars. He had urged Akhilesh Singh to ensure that they remember their forefathers.
Furthermore, Lalu Prasad disclosed his role in proposing Akhilesh Singh’s name for a Rajya Sabha position, despite Singh not explicitly seeking it. “When Akhilesh visited me in Ranchi while I was incarcerated, I recommended his nomination to the Rajya Sabha. I even communicated this proposal to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi,” revealed Lalu Prasad.
Akhilesh Prasad Singh was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 2018, previously having been associated with the RJD and serving as the party’s Member of Parliament from East Champaran in 2004.
In his address, the State Congress President acknowledged the legacy of Sri Krishna Singh, who is hailed for his administration during his chief ministerial tenure and for his contributions to Bihar’s industrialization, as well as his instrumental role in enacting legislation to abolish Zamindari in the state. “Sri Krishna Singh, affectionately referred to as Sri Babu, consistently championed the cause of all segments of society and ensured that Dalits were granted access to the renowned Baidynath Dham temple in Deoghar,” he lauded.
