As Bihar heads into a fierce second phase of polling, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi escalated his attacks on the BJP and its allies during a campaign rally in Bhagalpur on Friday. The Congress MP criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and even took a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah’s son, Jay Shah, questioning his qualifications to lead world cricket.

Speaking to voters ahead of the November 11 polling, Gandhi said, “Today, only the children of big industrialists or powerful leaders—be it Adani, Ambani or Amit Shah—are told they can achieve anything. Amit Shah’s son doesn’t even know how to hold a cricket bat, let alone score runs. Yet he heads the entire cricket establishment. Why? Because of money.”

Jay Shah has been serving as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the sport’s top global body, since December 2024. Before taking charge at the ICC, he was the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) from 2021 to 2024 and earlier worked as the BCCI Secretary from 2019 to 2021 following his tenure at the Gujarat Cricket Association.

Continuing his criticism of the NDA government, Gandhi accused the Centre of implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to hurt farmers, daily-wage earners, and small traders. He claimed the government was favouring large corporations by taking land from the poor and allegedly benefiting business groups such as the Ambanis and Adanis.

Bihar will witness voting in 122 seats on November 11 in the second phase of the Assembly elections. Counting of votes is scheduled for November 14.