The Congress party, gearing up for the Bihar Assembly elections, has strongly challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. On Sunday, November 2, 2025, the party highlighted pressing issues like widespread exam paper leaks, the forced migration of families seeking work, and a concerning rise in serious crimes across the state.
Jairam Ramesh, the Congress General Secretary in charge of communications, didn’t hold back. He pointed to numerous criminal incidents, questioning whether these truly represent the ‘Mangal Raj’ (good governance) promised by the BJP-led NDA’s “double-engine” government.
This critique comes as the NDA continues to warn Bihar voters that a return of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) would usher in a “jungle raj,” alleging rampant impunity for criminals under previous RJD rule.
Mr. Ramesh noted the irony of PM Modi and CM Kumar holding vote-seeking roadshows on the very streets of Patna where young people have frequently faced baton charges while protesting for jobs and fair recruitment exams.
He then posed three direct questions to the leaders, beginning by criticizing the “patronage” under which “dozens of paper leaks and recruitment-entrance exam scams” have occurred in Bihar, effectively shattering the dreams of millions of young people.
Adding to this, he alleged that a thriving industry of selling fake degrees has also emerged.
“Why was the hard work and future of millions of Bihar’s youth compromised?” the Congress leader demanded to know.
Referencing a caste-based survey, Mr. Ramesh highlighted that 64% of Bihar’s population – roughly 90 million people – still lives on a meager 67 rupees a day. He questioned why the state remains in such a dire condition after two decades of the current government’s rule.
He further derided the “double-engine government” concept, touted by the BJP and its allies as a guarantee for rapid development when the same party governs both the Centre and the state. Ramesh dubbed it a “Trouble Engine” government instead.
According to Ramesh, the policies of this “Trouble Engine” government have compelled 3.18 crore individuals to leave Bihar in search of employment. He challenged the Prime Minister and Chief Minister to accept responsibility for this mass displacement.
He also cited a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which allegedly exposed a ₹70,000 crore scam across ten Bihar government departments. “Will these scams, much like those in Maharashtra, now be considered a sign of ‘achche din’ (good days)?” he quipped, urging for a response.
Mr. Ramesh urged the leaders to consider the headlines of serious crimes that have plagued Bihar over the past week, even as they celebrated their roadshows.
He detailed eight major incidents of murder and shootings in just seven days, including the murder of Dularchand Yadav in Mokama, a father and son who were supporters of Upendra Kushwaha in Bhojpur, ASI Anirudh Kumar in Siwan, and the shooting of BJP leader Vivekananda Prasad in Bhagalpur. Other incidents included a hotel employee being shot in Rohtas for requesting payment, a youth stabbed to death in Lakhisarai, a man murdered while returning from Chhath festival in Samastipur, and a daylight shooting in Patna.
Citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Ramesh revealed that Bihar experiences an alarming average of eight murders, 33 kidnappings, and 133 heinous crimes every single day.
“So, Prime Minister,” he concluded, “is this the so-called Mangal Raj of your Trouble Engine government?”
The Bihar polls are scheduled for two phases on November 6 and 11, with results expected on November 14. The opposition INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties, has nominated RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate.