Overview
- Assam minister Ashok Singhal posted a photo captioned “Bihar approves Gobi farming” on November 14 as Bihar election results trended toward an NDA win.
- Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Abhishek Singhvi and Shashi Tharoor condemned the post, while TMC’s Saket Gokhale alleged tacit approval by the prime minister’s office, a claim reported as a political allegation.
- JD(U) publicly distanced itself and highlighted that the Nitish Kumar government reopened Bhagalpur cases, leading to 2007 life sentences and compensation measures for victims.
- Journalistic reports note the same cauliflower trope surfaced earlier this year in communal contexts and party memes, reinforcing its use as a communal dog whistle.
- As of November 18, coverage reports no disciplinary action against Singhal, with continued calls for responses from central and Assam leadership.