The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for sharing Chhath Puja greetings using the same image he had posted last year.
BJP’s IT department head and spokesperson
Amit Malviya accused Rahul Gandhi of being disconnected from Bihar and its culture, saying that a sacred festival like Chhath, which celebrates faith and tradition, deserved more than a token post.
“If you don’t have even the slightest sense of attachment to Bihar and its festivals — not even enough to offer heartfelt greetings — then why do you even contest elections?” Malviya wrote on X. He went on to allege that Gandhi only engages with Bihar’s culture and people out of “political compulsion,” while mocking his elite background.
“You find the people of Bihar dirty, their bodies smelly — yet you shake hands out of compulsion. Their festivals don’t excite you, but due to political necessity, you offer them congratulations.”
“This is not your greatness; it is your compulsion. Stop insulting Bihar, and if you can’t understand its faith, go back to Columbia and enjoy your vacation. Bihar will no longer vote for RJD-Congress,” he added.
अगर बिहार और उसके त्योहारों के प्रति आपके मन में ज़रा भी अपनापन नहीं है — इतना भी नहीं कि दिल से शुभकामना दे सकें — तो फिर चुनाव ही क्यों लड़ते हैं?
छठ जैसे पवित्र पर्व में आस्था, परंपरा और रंगों की इतनी विविधता है, लेकिन आप सिर्फ़ दिखावे के लिए महीनों बाद पुरानी पोस्ट डाल देते… pic.twitter.com/uNlzlEvES2
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) October 27, 2025
Rahul Gandhi’s X post, featuring Chhath Puja wishes, came under scrutiny after users pointed out that the same image had been used in 2024. The Congress leader has not responded to the criticism.
In Bihar, the main contest is between the ruling Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led NDA and the RJD-led opposition alliance ‘Mahagathbandhan.’
NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM).
Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), includes Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP).
Additionally, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj is also debuting in the fray.
The voting for the 243 seat-Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, while the results will be declared on November 14.
