Sambhavi Choudhary Criticizes Rahul Gandhi's Comments on PM Modi's Chhath Puja Plans

Sambhavi Choudhary described Rahul Gandhi's comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Chhath Puja plans as politically motivated and culturally insensitive.

New Delhi:

Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Chhath Puja plans, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary stated that Rahul Gandhi "should not comment" on subjects he doesn't comprehend.

Speaking at NDTV's Power Play - Bihar political conclave today, Choudhary, who represents Samastipur in the Lok Sabha, defended the Prime Minister while criticizing the Congress leader's approach, saying, "Chhath is not just a festival for Bihar, it's an emotion for Bihar. So, when you don't know about a four-day festival, you shouldn't comment on it."

The Congress leader had previously claimed that the Prime Minister's intended dip in the Yamuna River during Chhath Puja was a "drama," suggesting that the plan was abandoned when it was discovered that a section of clean water had been artificially created for the event. The Congress leader also remarked that PM Modi would "do anything for votes, even dance."

Choudhary rejected the accusation as politically motivated and culturally insensitive. "The way Rahul Gandhi made it a political issue was wrong. The Prime Minister came here, he wished the people of the state, he didn't do politics. I don't know who guides Rahul Gandhi, but if he didn't know about Chhath, he shouldn't have spoken about it," she stated.

Addressing questions about women's political participation in Bihar, Choudhary, who became one of India's youngest MPs in 2024 at age 25, discussed the evolution of women's roles in public life since 2005.

"When we talk about political participation, women are a key factor. Our leaders have always said that we are in a time where just talking about women empowerment is not enough, now we have to talk about women's leadership," she expressed.

Referring to Bihar's social transformation over the last two decades, she added, "We come from a patriarchal society. Women in Bihar once accepted that as their reality. But after 2005, things changed. This year, we saw that women celebrated festivals with their own money. That is real change."

When questioned whether schemes like pre-election cash transfers to women voters were timed for political advantage, she responded, "Yes, we gave them this before polls, but we have been working for women since 2005."

Discussing her political journey, Choudhary mentioned she comes from a family deeply involved in politics. "Everyone knows I am a third-generation politician. I have always said that I know nothing else but politics. Chirag Paswan is a leader who talks about the participation of youth in politics. I was chosen by the people of Samastipur. Politics is one profession where you have to take a test every five years."

Asked how difficult it was for an ordinary person to obtain a party ticket, she said the LJP had tried to ensure representation of both women and young leaders. "As far as our party is concerned, we have fielded as many women and as many youth as we could."

Bihar heads to assembly elections in two phases, on November 6 and November 11, with counting scheduled for November 14.