PATNA, Nov. 5 -- Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday exhorted the youths to choose jobs over "social media addiction" and an inclusive government over one "remote-controlled" by Delhi, countering Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent claim that NDA policies have empowered millions of youngsters to earn through reels on cheap data. Addressing election rallies at Aurangabad, Kutumba and Wazirganj (in Gaya), Gandhi asked the cheering crowds: "Do you want to watch reels round-the-clock, or do you want jobs?" - a pointed rebuttal to Modi's speech in which the PM had hailed "lakhs of youth earning lakhs" by creating short-form videos, thanks to the affordable internet rolled out by his government. With the second phase of Bihar's high-stakes assembly polls set for November 11, Gandhi's whirlwind campaign trail targeted key battlegrounds in the Magadh division, where 27 seats will decide the fate of chief minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U)-BJP alliance against the Opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) comprising the Congress, RJD and Left parties. Gandhi's rallies drew massive crowds, blending sharp critiques of the Modi government's policies with promises of equitable development, echoing his national narrative of "love over hate". Kicking off in Aurangabad, a BJP stronghold, Gandhi addressed the party sympathisers under a sweltering sun, framing the election as a referendum on the aspirations of Bihar's youth. He accused the NDA of peddling distractions while ignoring real needs. "Even after 20 years in power, Nitish Kumar has turned Bihar's talented youth into labourers, forcing them to toil in other states for menial wages," he said, drawing roars from the crowd. He lambasted the Agnipath scheme as a betrayal of the armed forces' recruitment pipeline, noting that 75% of short-term "Agniveers" would be left jobless after just four years. "The only door to serve the nation has been slammed shut on our youth," he added. Turning to state politics, Gandhi portrayed Nitish Kumar as a mere "mask" for the BJP's agenda. "Nitish has no say in the government-Modi and Amit Shah hold the remote control. They flip channels and make him dance to their tune," he quipped, alluding to the chief minister's flip-flops and perceived capitulation to the BJP. Gandhi warned of electoral "theft," claiming the BJP had rigged outcomes in the Lok Sabha polls and recent state elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. "But Bihar's voters are alert-they won't let this election be stolen," he assured. In a broader swipe at the NDA's ideology, Gandhi invoked his signature slogan: "Nafrat ke bazaar mein, mohabbat ki dukan" (A shop of love in the market of hate). "India is the land of love; it can't run on hatred. And the people of Bihar know this better than anyone," he said, referencing the state's history of social harmony amid caste and communal tensions. The campaign's emotional high came in Kutumba, a crucial assembly segment in Aurangabad, where Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president Rajesh Ram is making a spirited bid against the NDA candidate. Kutumba holds symbolic weight for the Congress, which has struggled to retain ground in. Ram, a seasoned party leader credited with revitalising the state unit, is banking on Gandhi's star power to consolidate votes among backward classes and Dalits. At a rally in Kutumba's heartland, Gandhi threw his full weight behind Ram, calling him "the architect of a resurgent Congress in Bihar." "Rajesh Ram fights not just for a seat, but for the dignity of every backward class, Dalit, and minority family here," Gandhi declared. He reiterated his vision for an "inclusive Mahagathbandhan government" that would represent extremely backward classes (EBCs), other backward classes (OBCs), Dalits, Mahadalits, minorities and the generals. Gandhi promised sweeping reforms if the opposition wins: "No more caste census delays-we'll implement it fully to ensure justice. And Bihar's youth will get real opportunities, not just cheap data for reels." Local leaders reported an electric atmosphere, with Ram's supporters chanting "Rahul ji zindabad" as Gandhi exited, signaling a potential upset in this pivotal seat. Wrapping up in Wazirganj, part of the Gaya district and a traditional Congress-leaning area with a mix of Yadav and EBC voters, Gandhi evoked Bihar's ancient legacy to inspire hope. At the meeting, Gandhi pledged to revive Bihar's educational heritage. "I give you my personal guarantee: When the INDIA bloc forms the government at the Centre, we'll build one of the world's best universities in Bihar - modeled on the ancient Nalanda, where scholars from across the globe will flock to learn," he said....