Rahul Gandhi Tried to Hijack the Title of Jan Nayak’: KC Tyagi Launches Fierce Attack on Congress

In a sharp political offensive, senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi has accused the Congress party—and particularly Rahul Gandhi—of attempting to “usurp” the revered title of Jan Nayak, historically associated with socialist icon and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. Tyagi said the people of Bihar have categorically rejected this attempt and have “shown the mirror” to Rahul Gandhi.

Tyagi: Rahul Gandhi Tried to Appropriate Karpoori Thakur’s Legacy

Speaking to The Economic Times, Tyagi said the defeat of the opposition alliance in Bihar was not only a strong endorsement of the Nitish Kumar government’s policies but also a “public outburst of anger” against Congress’s alleged attempt to hijack Karpoori Thakur’s legacy.

“Instead of crying foul about vote theft, the Congress leadership must understand that no one accepts their opportunistic sermons on social justice—issues they have historically opposed,” Tyagi said.

He added,
“Rahul and Congress openly attempted to appropriate the ‘Jan Nayak’ title of Karpoori Thakur, but Bihar’s voters rejected this move outright. This title was bestowed upon Thakur by the people out of love and respect for his decades-long struggle for the socially marginalised.”

‘Anyone Attempting the Same Will Meet Congress’s Fate’

Issuing a stern warning, Tyagi said:
“Bihar has shown that no one will be allowed to steal Karpoori Thakur’s title. If someone tries to appropriate Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Bapu’ or Jayaprakash Narayan’s ‘Loknayak’ title in the future, they will meet the same fate as the Congress.”

Tyagi claimed that the Congress had systematically attempted to project Rahul Gandhi as Jan Nayak during the Bihar campaign, with party leaders and social media handles pushing this narrative aggressively.

Tyagi Questions Congress’s Credibility on OBC & Social Justice Issues

A lifelong socialist, Tyagi slammed the Congress for what he called a “sudden, opportunistic push” to position itself as a champion of OBC rights.

He reminded that:

• In 1978, when Karpoori Thakur implemented the Mungerilal Commission report for OBC, EBC and economically backward groups, Congress opposed it.
• Congress-led central governments repeatedly suppressed the Mandal Commission’s OBC reservation recommendations.
• When the VP Singh government finally implemented Mandal, Rajiv Gandhi led the Congress’s opposition.
• During the 10 years of UPA rule, when Rahul Gandhi held major influence, the party never advocated caste census, nor pushed to raise the 50% reservation cap or include it in the Ninth Schedule.

“Socialists fought for these issues for decades. Congress remembered them only when their political strategies failed,” Tyagi said.

‘Rahul Gandhi’s Social Justice Pitch Was Hollow’

Tyagi also criticised Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to rebrand himself as a champion of social justice.

“When Rahul ji—who once tried to project himself as ‘Janeudhari Pandit’—suddenly began portraying himself as the torchbearer of social justice, Bihar’s voters rejected this hollow narrative. Even Congress workers and supporters didn’t believe it.”

A Stinging Message for Congress

KC Tyagi’s remarks signal JD(U)’s growing aggression against Congress, as well as its attempt to firmly claim Karpoori Thakur’s legacy in Bihar’s political landscape. With the election results reinforcing the BJP–JD(U) alliance’s position, Tyagi’s comments appear aimed at dismantling Congress’s ideological claims on OBC politics.