Jharkhand's Dr. Irfan Ansari Emerges as Key OBC Voice at Delhi Rally, Eyes Bihar Polls

| IOP Desk - 27 Jul 2025

"Tu jitna samajhta hai, utna mahaan thodi na hai, Tu chai bechne wala hai, masiha thodi na hai"

By Sanjay Samar

State Resident Editor

INDIAN OBSERVER POST

NEW DELHI, JULY 27, 2025: Jharkhand Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari made his national political debut in emphatic fashion today, declaring at the Congress-organized OBC Mahasammelan that "Bihar's 26% OBC voters are ready to bring change in the upcoming elections." The statement, delivered to thunderous applause at Talkatora Stadium, positions the first-time minister as a potentially crucial campaigner for the INDIA bloc in the crucial eastern states.

Dressed in his characteristic simple white kurta-pyjama but speaking with the authority of a seasoned leader, Ansari articulated the aspirations of backward classes with rare conviction. "When the BJP calls us 'puncture-wallahs', they reveal their elitist mindset," he said, his voice rising above the cheers. "But under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, we've claimed our rightful place in nation-building."

The minister's speech reached its emotional peak when he recited the couplet:

"Tu jitna samajhta hai, utna mahaan thodi na hai,

Tu chai bechne wala hai, masiha thodi na hai"

(The less said about your imagined greatness the better/You're just a tea-seller, not the messiah)

The pointed verse, delivered without naming any leader, brought the audience to its feet and marked Ansari's arrival as a politician who can blend grassroots rhetoric with cultural resonance.

Building Strategic Alliances

Between rally speeches, Ansari engaged in careful political networking that revealed his growing stature. His meeting with Congress stalwart Sandip Dikshit took on special significance as the two discussed their families' political legacy. "Your father Furkan Ansari and my mother Sheila ji shared not just politics but genuine affection," Dikshit remarked, highlighting the minister's deep roots in the party.

In a demonstration of his cross-party appeal, Ansari's courtesy meeting with BJP leader Randheer Singh's wife and Ex BJP MLA Viranchi Narayan at Jharkhand Bhawan turned into an impromptu discussion on health reforms. "Your responsive approach has transformed Jharkhand's health services," the BJP leader acknowledged - rare praise that underscores Ansari's reputation as an effective administrator.

Political observers note Ansari represents Congress's new breed of leaders - equally comfortable discussing policy in government corridors as he is connecting with voters in Jharkhand's hinterlands. His invitation to Tamil Nadu MP Jothimani for Jharkhand's women's conference, sealed over traditional filter coffee, displayed his knack for building national alliances while maintaining strong local roots.

With Jharkhand having demonstrated how to defeat the BJP in 2024, Ansari's declaration about Bihar's OBC voters signals the Congress's strategy to replicate that success in neighboring states. His unique ability to speak the language of both socialist politics and cultural nationalism makes him particularly valuable in the Hindi heartland.

Why This Matters

In Dr. Ansari, the Congress appears to have found its answer to the BJP's OBC outreach - a leader who combines administrative credibility with authentic subaltern representation. As one AICC functionary noted: "He's the Muslim leader who rallies Hindus, the OBC face who connects with tribals, and the minister even opponents respect."

With his successful Delhi debut establishing his national credentials, the party leadership is now likely to deploy this rising Jharkhand leader more extensively in the crucial elections ahead, beginning with Bihar.