In Bihar’s Nalanda, Congress leader accuses Modi of bowing to U.S. pressure, says Nitish Kumar’s government is “remote-controlled” by BJP
alanda (Bihar) (Economy India): In a politically charged speech at Nalanda’s Noorsarai on Thursday, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he “stopped a military operation after a phone call from former U.S. President Donald Trump.” Gandhi claimed that the incident showed Modi’s weakness on national security matters and accused him of being “afraid of foreign leaders.”
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“Modi is a coward. Even Indira Gandhi had more courage than him. Trump insulted our country and our Prime Minister did not utter a single word,” Gandhi said during his rally, which was attended by thousands of supporters.
‘Trump said Modi stopped Operation Sindoor; PM must clarify’
Referring to statements allegedly made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, Gandhi said that Trump “openly bragged” about calling Modi to halt a planned Indian military operation.
“Trump said he called Modi and told him to stop Operation Sindoor — and the operation was stopped. I challenge Modi ji to come to Bihar and say that Trump is lying,” Gandhi declared.
He accused the Modi government of allowing India’s global image to be undermined.
“Trump insulted India’s Air Force, our Army, our sovereignty — and our Prime Minister stayed silent. Indira Gandhi once silenced the U.S., but Modi bows down before them,” Gandhi said, invoking his grandmother’s legacy.
The Congress leader alleged that such incidents showed a dangerous pattern — where “foreign pressure dictates India’s internal and security decisions.”
Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Modi in Nalanda Rally, Alleges ‘Operation Sindoor’ Halted After Trump’s Call
‘Nitish Kumar runs on Modi’s remote control’
Shifting focus to state politics, Gandhi criticized Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, calling him “a leader who no longer makes independent decisions.”
“Nitish doesn’t run Bihar anymore. He is being remote-controlled by Modi and Amit Shah from Delhi,” Gandhi said. He added that the BJP was “using Nitish to retain power” and that Bihar’s governance had been “paralyzed under political manipulation.”
According to Gandhi, the state’s youth and common citizens are bearing the brunt of a collapsing education and healthcare system.
“Students study for months, prepare for exams — but the night before, the papers leak. Honest youth are left with nothing while the corrupt get away with everything,” he said. He also attacked Bihar’s public healthcare services, claiming that “people go to hospitals not to live, but to die.”
‘If Bihar’s youth can build Dubai, why not Bihar?’
Addressing the youth, Gandhi highlighted the migration crisis and economic stagnation in Bihar.
“Wherever I go — be it Bengaluru, Mumbai or Dubai — I meet people from Bihar working hard to build those cities. My question is: if you can build Dubai, why can’t Bihar be built the same way?”
He linked Bihar’s current challenges to a larger issue of governance failure and lack of industrial development. Gandhi said that while Bihar was once home to the world-renowned Nalanda University, today it is remembered for “paper leaks and corruption.”
“Once, students from Japan and England came here to study. Now, Bihar’s own students struggle to find jobs or even fair exams,” he lamented.
‘Modi’s Chhath Puja was a drama for votes’
In one of the most pointed sections of his speech, Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of “using religion and festivals for political gain.” Referring to the Prime Minister’s participation in Chhath Puja rituals in Delhi, Gandhi alleged that the event was “a staged performance.”
“Modi pretends to respect Bihar’s traditions, but performs Chhath Puja in a swimming pool instead of the Yamuna River. It’s a drama for votes,” Gandhi said.
He went on to accuse Modi of lacking genuine empathy for the people’s faith and culture.
“He can dance on stage if it helps him get votes. But he doesn’t care about Bihar, about the unemployed youth, or about the farmers who are struggling to survive,” Gandhi alleged.
Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Modi in Nalanda Rally, Alleges ‘Operation Sindoor’ Halted After Trump’s Call
‘Our government will represent every caste and religion’
Reiterating his party’s commitment to social inclusivity, Rahul Gandhi promised that a future Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) government in Bihar would “represent every section of society.”
“When we form the government, it will belong to every caste, every religion — backward, most backward, minorities — everyone,” he said.
Gandhi emphasized that his party’s goal was not just to win elections but to “restore the dignity of the Constitution and the rights of common citizens.”
‘Vote theft denied us power’
In the latter half of his speech, Gandhi claimed that the opposition’s INDIA bloc could have formed the government at the national level if elections had been free and fair.
“If votes were not stolen, the INDIA alliance would be running the country today. BJP and RSS are afraid of the people’s voice — that’s why they manipulate elections,” he said.
He accused the ruling party of “undermining democracy” and “using institutions for political control.”
“They want to destroy the Constitution, take away your rights, and weaken the very institutions that protect your freedom,” Gandhi told the audience.
‘We want Made in Bihar, not Made in China’
Highlighting the theme of local empowerment, Gandhi urged the youth to dream of self-reliant industries in Bihar.
“Look at the phone in your hand. It says ‘Made in China.’ Why shouldn’t it say ‘Made in Bihar’? We want the world to buy goods made in Bihar,” he said.
Gandhi added that industrialization in Bihar could reverse migration and create employment opportunities for millions.
“If factories and startups grow here, Bihari youth will no longer need to migrate. Instead, people from other states will come here to work,” he asserted.
‘Adani given land for ₹1 in Bhagalpur’
In another sharp attack on the central government, Gandhi alleged that industrialist Gautam Adani was given land in Bhagalpur “for just one rupee.”
“The BJP government works for big businessmen, not farmers or workers. They give land for free to Adani but snatch it from poor farmers,” he said.
The Congress leader claimed that corporate favoritism and crony capitalism were widening the gap between rich and poor.
Rahul’s Five Key Allegations in Nalanda Rally
PM Modi halted ‘Operation Sindoor’ after a phone call from Trump.
Nitish Kumar is controlled by BJP leaders in Delhi.
Chhath Puja was politicized, performed in a “swimming pool” for optics.
Adani given land for ₹1 in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district.
Vote theft denied INDIA bloc the chance to form the national government.
Rahul Gandhi’s Message: Love over Hate
The Congress leader also reiterated his campaign message of “spreading love in the market of hate.”
“I walked 4,000 km during my Bharat Jodo Yatra. I said then — I’m opening a shop of love in the market of hate. Hate helps only Modi and Shah, not Bihar’s people,” he said.
Gandhi urged voters to remain alert against “vote theft” and attempts to divide people along communal or caste lines.
Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Modi in Nalanda Rally, Alleges ‘Operation Sindoor’ Halted After Trump’s Call
Economy India Analysis: Political, Economic and Social Context
Rahul Gandhi’s speech in Nalanda marks an escalation in his rhetoric against both PM Modi and the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance in Bihar. His references to Donald Trump and Operation Sindoor link domestic politics with foreign policy criticism — a strategy aimed at projecting Modi as “submissive on global platforms.”
Politically, this rally strengthens the Congress’s attempt to reclaim ground in Bihar, a state where caste alliances, unemployment, and infrastructure gaps dominate voter sentiment.
Economically, Gandhi’s emphasis on “Made in Bihar” echoes the broader self-reliant India narrative, but with a regional twist — seeking to localize manufacturing, reduce migration, and expand employment opportunities within the state.
Socially, his repeated references to education, paper leaks, and healthcare failures aim to connect with Bihar’s youth and working-class families who feel left behind by economic growth elsewhere.
However, while Gandhi’s charges drew loud applause from supporters, the claims about Operation Sindoor and Trump’s alleged statements have not been independently verified. The BJP has not yet issued an official response.
Rahul Gandhi’s Nalanda rally combined sharp political attacks with populist economic messaging, positioning the Congress and INDIA bloc as defenders of constitutional values and social justice. His remarks on Modi, Nitish, and Trump are likely to dominate headlines and trigger strong counterstatements from the BJP in the coming days — further intensifying Bihar’s political atmosphere ahead of the upcoming elections.
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