Adani-Ambani run the show, not Modi: Rahul in Bihar

Launching a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a campaign rally in Begusarai, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused him of being “controlled” by industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani.

Speaking at the rally in support of Mahagathbandhan candidate Amita Bhushan, Gandhi revived his criticism of the Prime Minister’s “56-inch chest” remark, alleging that the Modi government’s decisions were influenced by external and corporate pressures.

“Operation Sindoor began, and then came a phone call from Donald Trump. Modi ji, who boasts of a 56-inch chest, got scared and stopped the operation within two days. The truth is, Modi ji is not just afraid of the US president, he is also controlled by Adani and Ambani,” Gandhi told the gathering.

He went on to draw a contrast between Modi and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, recalling her defiance during the 1971 war when then US President Richard Nixon tried to pressure India. “Indira Gandhi didn’t back down. She told the US that India would do what was right for its people,” he said.

Targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi criticised his recent statement that Bihar lacks land for industries and employment generation. “Amit Shah says there is no land to create jobs in Bihar. But the Modi government has no problem giving acres of land to the Adani Group for just one rupee. There’s land for billionaires, not for the youth of Bihar,” Gandhi charged.

Promising to prioritise education if the Mahagathbandhan alliance comes to power, Gandhi said, “We will establish a university on par with Nalanda, one that attracts students from across the world. This is my personal guarantee.”

Begusarai, traditionally a BJP bastion with a strong Bhumihaar voter base, is witnessing a tight contest this time. BJP MLA Kundan Kumar is seeking re-election against Congress’s Amita Bhushan, while the entry of Jan Suraaj adds another layer to the high-stakes race.

Elections for the 243-member Bihar Assembly will take place in two phases, on November 6 and November 11 , with results to be declared on November 14 .