The NDA swept the elections with 202 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan could secure only 35. The RJD won 23 seats and led in two, while the Congress managed just six—its weakest performance in Bihar in over a decade.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera intensified criticism, claiming early trends showed that “Gyanesh Kumar succeeded against the people of Bihar,” suggesting that the election process was compromised. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the party respects the mandate but will keep fighting forces “misusing institutions.” He called on workers to stay motivated and uphold democratic values.

Senior leaders expressed disappointment as well. Shashi Tharoor termed the results “seriously disappointing” and demanded a detailed examination of organisational gaps. Jairam Ramesh alleged “vote theft on a massive scale” and vowed that the party would escalate its campaign to defend democracy.

Internal dissatisfaction also emerged. Mumtaz Patel criticised centralised decision-making within the party, while former minister Shakeel Ahmad pointed to ticket distribution lapses and said AIMIM outperforming the Congress in several seats was a warning sign.

The post Bihar Election Controversy: Rahul Gandhi Says Poll Was Not Fair From Start appeared first on India Podcast.

In the Bihar Assembly elections, development and job creation are the main issues. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav promised one government job per family, but Khera questioned how the budget for 2.5 crore jobs would be managed. He accused the BJP of favoring industrialists and transferring land for almost nothing. Khera said industrialists should work, but not at the cost of public property.

He also criticized the BJP for using government schemes for election benefits, saying people now recognize such “election schemes.”

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Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav of RJD filed his nomination from Raghopur, declaring assets worth ₹6.12 crore and a debt of ₹55 lakh. His brother Tej Pratap Yadav filed from Mahua, carrying his grandmother’s photo for blessings.

Tensions rose when Mukesh Sahni’s VIP party workers clashed during a press event. At the same time, Congress leader Pawan Khera assured that seat-sharing in the Grand Alliance is “progressing well” and that “the Grand Alliance government will be formed soon.”

Yogi Adityanath, addressing a rally in Danapur, praised Bihar as the “mother of democracy.” With nominations closing soon, Bihar’s political heat continues to rise.

The post BJP, JDU, and Grand Alliance Updates appeared first on India Podcast.

Congress leader Pawan Khera highlighted the country’s rich syncretic heritage, citing mystic saint Meerabai and Sufi traditions, and criticised those who see such expressions as a threat. “They even killed a seven-year-old because of his religion. What harm could that child cause to our cultural heritage?” Khera said in a video statement.

He added that India’s culture embraces love for all faiths. “If someone says ‘I love Muhammad,’ it should not be a problem. People love their Gods and prophets; we should respect that,” he said, while taking a swipe at the BJP. Khera concluded by asserting, “I love Muhammad, I love Mahadev, I love Jesus Christ, I love Nanak Dev, I love India.”

The controversy has sparked tensions in several districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Barabanki, Mau, and Muzaffarnagar. Violent protests erupted in Bareilly after Friday prayers, leading to house-to-house police raids and the arrest of a man named Raza. Security forces were deployed in large numbers, and social media activity was closely monitored.

In Barabanki’s Faizullaganj village, a banner reading ‘I Love Muhammad’ was torn down, reportedly by a local watchman named Dhanni. The act triggered community tensions, though peace was later restored. CCTV footage captured Dhanni toppling the banner, which police have seized for investigation. Following the incident, his house was vandalised, and eight people were arrested for taking out a procession in protest.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further clashes and maintain communal harmony in the affected areas.

The post ‘I Love Muhammad’ Row: Congress Backs Religious Expression in UP appeared first on India Podcast.

Responding to the accusation, Khera admitted that he became aware of the duplicate voter card only after the BJP highlighted it. He explained that as early as 2016–17, he had submitted an application to cancel the second card, but said the Election Commission failed to update the records. “They wanted to target us, but ended up targeting the Election Commission,” Khera remarked, arguing that the issue revealed gaps in the electoral system rather than wrongdoing on his part.

Khera further demanded that the Commission release CCTV footage to prove whether his vote was misused in past elections. He maintained that if there were lapses, the responsibility lay with officials who had ignored his earlier request.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time, with the Congress-led INDIA bloc running a “vote chori” campaign in Bihar. Both parties are sharpening their attacks as the state prepares for upcoming elections.

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