- Congress drops Telangana ministers after ‘Bihari DNA’ backlash
- High command reshapes Bihar election campaign with national leaders
Hyderabad, Oct 28 (Maxim News): The Congress high command has excluded Telangana Ministers and senior leaders from the list of star campaigners for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections following sharp criticism over Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s controversial “Bihari DNA” remark.
The first phase, covering 121 constituencies, is scheduled for November 6, followed by the second phase covering 122 seats on November 11.
The move marks a significant course correction for the party, as the Chief Minister and several Telangana Congress leaders had been prominently involved in the “Voter Adhikar Yatra” held in Bihar in August.
That event, led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, aimed to strengthen the Congress’s outreach. However, the fallout from the “Bihari DNA” comment has forced the party to distance its Telangana unit from Bihar’s political spotlight.
Revanth Reddy’s comment drew heavy criticism across Bihar’s political spectrum. Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor sharply condemned the Telangana Chief Minister, questioning his political stature and tone. “If the DNA of Biharis is inferior, why did he seek their support? Even Rahul Gandhi will not be able to save Revanth Reddy,” Kishor said, vowing to defeat him in Telangana in the future. The remarks triggered widespread anger and prompted the Congress high command to reassess its campaign representation.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Congress has been promoting its move to provide 42 per cent reservations for BCs, calling it a model for the country.
The party’s central leadership had hoped to highlight this achievement in Bihar’s campaign narrative. However, with the policy now under judicial scrutiny and the controversy still resonating, the leadership has opted to avoid further distractions.
For the Bihar campaign, the Congress has positioned its national figures at the forefront. Apart from AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi, other key campaigners include Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukku, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, former Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala, and Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav. The move signals a strategic reset aimed at consolidating voter confidence ahead of the Bihar polls.
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