Patna: BJP and Congress workers clashed in Patna during the saffron party’s protest march on Wednesday against Rahul Gandhi’s dharna near PM Narendra Modi’s residence in Delhi on Tuesday.Several people were injured in the clash. Traffic remained disrupted on the Danapur-Gandhi Maidan Road as stones were pelted from rooftops near the Congress office. Several BJP functionaries and legislators led by party president Sanjay Saraogi were participating in the protest march.The Congress demanded Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged NEET paper leak. Congress workers on Wednesday also staged demonstrations in different parts of the state, including Muzaffarpur, Aurangabad and Sitamarhi, in protest against police action on Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.BJP state president said several of his party workers were injured in the stone-pelting by Congress workers. The windowpanes of a few stranded cars were also damaged during the protest. He alleged that when their march reached the Congress office from Kurji Mor, a large number of opposition party workers, armed with sticks and stones, were already present there. Congress state president Rajesh Kumar, however, alleged that BJP workers indulged in violence outside the party office at Sadaquat Ashram.SDPO (law & order-II) Komal Meena said workers from both sides confronted each other, resulting in injuries to several people. “We will verify all details, including whether the groups had sought necessary permissions, before taking further action. Law and order was disturbed briefly, but the situation is now normal,” she said.CM Samrat Choudhary said Rahul Gandhi’s conduct was against his constitutional position and decorum. “Rahul Gandhi’s disregard for rules within a high-security zone is not in keeping with constitutional values and democratic decorum. Such behaviour exhibited for the sake of momentary political gain and grabbing headlines casts a shadow on the dignity of a constitutional position like that of the Leader of Opposition,” Samrat posted on X.The CM stated that while political differences are natural in a democracy, respect for constitutional institutions, security protocols, and public decorum must remain paramount.Bihar minister and HAM(S) national president Santosh Kumar Suman said Rahul Gandhi’s conduct was not only unbecoming but also contrary to democratic decorum and parliamentary traditions.Chhatra JD(U) state general secretary Ajmal Ashrafi said the opposition has no concern for students. “For them NEET is just a hashtag, for NDA it is a responsibility. While NDA is working on exam reforms, NTA accountability, scholarships, and new medical colleges, the opposition is using NEET toppers’ pain for their political shop,” he said.
