Bihar Elections: Congress claims Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav’s alliance has shaken the BJP
Bihar Election 2025: Amidst the ongoing accusations and counter-accusations regarding the Bihar Assembly elections, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has claimed that the BJP is afraid of the Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav duo. Patna: The Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav duo has given the BJP sleepless nights in Bihar. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has made this statement. He claimed that the Congress, under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, is opposing vote rigging and is confident that the Grand Alliance with Tejashwi Yadav will pose a significant challenge to the BJP in Bihar. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “They used to say they wouldn’t allow elections in Bengal, but under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, we have made our stand. We have opposed vote theft, and whenever the right to vote is obstructed, Congress will not remain silent. Change is coming in Bihar too. The Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav duo has shaken the BJP in Bihar.” Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi Congress leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed confidence that the people have decided to form a Grand Alliance government. Hooda said, “The people of Bihar have made up their minds, and the Grand Alliance government will be formed in the upcoming elections. Ultimately, it is the people who will vote, no matter how many big leaders the BJP fields.” Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. He alleged that the Modi government has failed to provide employment and healthcare facilities in Bihar. Addressing a public rally in Sheikhpura, Bihar, Rahul Gandhi questioned why hardworking youth from Bihar have to go to other states for jobs and wander for medical treatment. He said that Bihar should once again become a center of education and industry. Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of employment. Rahul Gandhi said, “A city like Dubai was built with the hard work of the people of Bihar. When you work so hard, why don’t you find employment? Why do young people from Bihar go to other states to work as laborers, but can’t find work in Bihar? Another question: Why do you have to travel from Bihar to AIIMS in Delhi for treatment? Can’t you get treatment in Bihar? Bihar was a center of education long ago, and it should become that again. Nalanda should have the best university in the world, and the entire country should know that the best education is available in Bihar.” He said, “I want your phone to say ‘Made in Bihar’ instead of ‘Made in China.’” The assembly elections in Bihar will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. Votes will be counted on November 14. Curated by: Suryakant Pathak About the author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been a journalist for the past 31 years. He writes news, analysis and blogs on India’s international relations and political and social developments in the country and the world. Courtesy: Hindi News
Cong plans Pacgmarhi camp for dist leaders, Rahul invited
Bhopal: The State Congress is organising a ten-day training camp in Pachmarhi for the party’s newly appointed 72 organisational district presidents, starting from 2 November. State Congress President Jitu Patwari has sent an invitation to Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi to address the congregation on any day he is available during the training course. Initially, it was claimed that the Congress MP from Rae Bareli would address the Congress district presidents on 9 or 10 November after election campaigning comes to a halt in Bihar. However, sources in the state party office on Wednesday said that requests have been made for Rahul Gandhi to address the inaugural session in Pachmarhi on 2 November. But, the Lok Sabha LOP’s office has not confirmed his programme in Madhya Pradesh. PCC organisational general secretary Sanjay Kamle told TOI, “There is a possibility that the Lok Sabha LOP may come to the state either on 9 or 10 November. Campaigning in Bihar will come to an end on 8 November, after which he may come to address the training camp,” he said. Sanjay Kamle also added that the state Congress has requested the office of Rahul Gandhi to see if he can address the district presidents after campaigning stops for the first phase of Bihar elections on 3 November. State Congress vice-president Mahendra Joshi is the coordinator and in charge of the training camp. Speaking to TOI, he said, “The training camp will be for the district party presidents appointed during the Sangathan Srajan Abhiyan inaugurated by Rahul Gandhi in June. There are 72 organisational districts, including some city offices like Bhopal and Indore, which have one district president for rural areas and another for the city.” Joshi said that the district Congress presidents will be trained in various political aspects, social situations, organisational views, electoral rolls, the communalism factor, “false promises made by the ruling BJP and how to expose them to the people.” “After the training is completed, the district presidents will return to their work areas and utilise what they have been taught to train the grassroots workers at the district, assembly constituencies, blocks, mandal, sector, and panchayat levels,” Joshi said. “The focus of the training will be on how Congress workers can face the challenges of voter list manipulation by the rival political party, misinformation spread by them via technology, and how to make people aware of such tactics so they know the truth,” Mahendra Joshi argued. “Empowering our workers to spread information among people can come only with training,” he said. The district Congress presidents will be trained by party functionaries from Delhi and Bhopal, as well as political and academic experts. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘If you tell Modi to dance…’: Rahul Gandhi opens Bihar campaign with attack on PM; brings back ‘vote chori’ barb
NEW DELHI: Weeks after the Election Commission announced poll dates in Bihar — and days after the Mahagathbandhan released its chief ministerial face — leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi finally kicked off his election campaign in the state on Wednesday. Addressing a rally in Muzaffarpur, the Congress leader launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that “he just wants vote” and alleging that he would go to any extent to win elections. — INCIndia (@INCIndia) “He just wants your vote. If 200 people from the crowd ask PM Modi to dance on stage in return for votes, the dance would begin. PM Modi will start performing Bharatnatyam on stage,” Rahul said. Follow Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Live Updates Taking a swipe at the Prime Minister’s statement on Chhath Puja observance on the banks of the Yamuna, Rahul mocked the act, saying, “They staged a drama and showed the truth of India… The Yamuna has dirty water. If someone drank it, they would either get sick or die. No one can go inside. The water is so dirty that if you enter it, you would get sick or get an infection… But Modi staged a drama. He built a small pond there… They will show you anything for elections… A pipe is installed from behind. Clean water is poured into it… The problem arose that someone took a photo of the pipe..” Continuing his tirade, Rahul reiterated his charge of “vote chori” and accused the BJP of subverting democracy. “They are engaged in stealing your votes. Because they want to end this election disease. I am telling you, they stole elections in Maharashtra, they stole elections in Haryana, and they will try their best in Bihar,” he said. The Congress leader also hit out at PM Modi over economic policies, accusing him of crushing small businesses through demonetisation and GST. “Tell me what is written on the back of your phone. Made in China. Narendra Modi ji has destroyed all the small businesses by implementing demonetisation and GST. Wherever you look, it is Made in China. We say that it should not be Made in China, it should be Made in Bihar. Mobiles, shirts, pants — all these should be made in Bihar and the youth of Bihar should get employment in those factories. We want such a Bihar,” he declared. BJP hits back at Rahul BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Wednesday hit back at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his remark that “PM Modi will dance for votes,” branding him a “local goon.” Bhandari accused the Congress leader of “mocking voters” and “insulting” the poor with his comments. In a post on X, the BJP leader said, “Rahul Gandhi speaks like a ‘Local Goon’. Rahul Gandhi has openly insulted every poor of India, & Bihar who has voted for PM Narendra Modi ji! Rahul Gandhi has mocked voters and Indian democracy.” — pradip103 (@pradip103) ‘Nitish ji’s face being used’: Rahul Rahul didn’t spare Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar either, claiming he was merely a “face” while the BJP pulled the strings from behind. “Nitish ji’s face is being used. The remote control is in the hands of the BJP. You should not think that the voice of the most backward people is heard there,” he said. Accusing the BJP of being “against social justice,” Rahul added, “Three or four people control it. BJP controls it. They have the remote controller in their hands, and they have nothing to do with social justice. I said in front of the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha that you should get the caste census done. He did not say a single word… BJP is against social justice. They do not want it.” As Bihar gears up for a high-stakes battle, the political lines are clearly drawn. The NDA — comprising the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha — faces off against the Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD and including Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and Mukesh Sahani’s VIP. Adding another twist, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has announced candidates for all 243 assembly seats. Bihar will vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Trump insulting Modi in country after country’: Rahul Gandhi on US president’s India-Pak claim in South Korea; urges him to respond
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to the US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims on India-Pakistan truce. Pointing out Trump’s recent remarks made at Apec summit in South Korea, Rahul said, “Trump is insulting Modi in country after country. Latest is South Korea.” Highlighting snippets from Trump’s speech where he “repeated that he used trade to frighten Modi into stopping Operation Sindoor” and “said 7 planes were shot down”, the Congress leader said: “Don’t be scared Modi ji, find the courage to respond.” — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) While PM Modi has steered clear from making any direct remarks on Trump’s claims, India has, at several occasions, clarified that India-Pakistan truce was completely bilateral in nature, at the request of Pakistan DGMO and did not involve any third party intervention. Earlier in the day, while Trump admired PM Modi as a “great-looking guy, killer and tough as hell”, he also said that it was his efforts that made India and Pakistan stop fighting. “If you look at India, and Pakistan, so, I’m doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and and love. As you know, for Prime Minister Modi, we have a great relationship. Likewise, the prime minister of Pakistan is a great guy. And the field marshal, they have a field marshal. He’s a great fighter. He really is, he’s a great guy too,” he said. “And I’m reading that 7 planes were shot down. They’re going at it and they’re really starting to go and this is a big thing,” he added. “These are 2 nuclear nations, and they’re really starting to go and this is a big thing. And I called Prime Minister Modi and I said we can’t make a trade deal with you know. I said, no, we can’t. you starting a war with Pakistan. We’re not going to do it. And then I called Pakistan, I said we’re not going to do trade with you because you’re fighting with India,” he claimed. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar elections: After weeks of being away, Rahul Gandhi returns with vitriol for PM Modi
PATNA: Missing in action for weeks, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi opened his campaign for INDIA bloc in Bihar Wednesday with a barrage of personal attacks targeting PM Narendra Modi, saying the latter would “happily dance for votes” if he needed to. “Modi ji just wants your votes… He can perform Bharatanatyam,” the Rae Bareli MP said at a rally in Muzaffarpur, INDIA bloc’s CM face Tejashwi Yadav by his side. The vitriol continued to flow in Darbhanga, where he told the crowd that BJP was out to “steal your votes like they did in Maharashtra & Haryana”. Asking people to be extra careful this poll season to prevent “vote theft”, Rahul said, “Catch BJP people if they try to steal your votes at polling booths…” Rahul, whose absence from opposition’s campaign was as much a talking point as his prolonged reluctance to acknowledge RJD scion Tejashwi as the chief ministerial candidate, alleged that Nitish Kumar was CM only in name. “Nitish is not running the govt. It is Modi and (Amit) Shah who are running it through remote control.” He also accused PM Modi of failing to counter US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that his intervention halted Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. “Trump has said it 50 times…He is constantly insulting PM Modi, but the latter is silent. Not once has he said Trump is lying as he is scared of the US President. Indira Gandhi stuck to her stand on Bangladesh during 1971 India-Pakistan war despite international pressure… That is what a PM means,” he said, suggesting that was why PM Modi “can’t develop Bihar”. Rahul asked voters to distinguish between people prone to making false promises and those working with good intentions. Tejashwi appealed to voters to give him one chance. “I haven’t done anybody harm. If I get a chance to govern, you will get govt jobs,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Elections 2025: Big signals emerging in Bihar…People have complete faith in the Rahul-Tejashwi duo, every promise of the ‘Grand Alliance’ will be fulfilled.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said that Bihar voters have faith in Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav to fulfill their promises. The Grand Alliance has released its manifesto, which focuses on the welfare of Bihar. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has issued a notice to Prashant Kishore for registering his name on a duplicate voter list. New Delhi: The election bugle has been sounded in Bihar, and the voting dates have also been announced. As the polling date approaches, the political heat in the state is increasing. All the contesting parties are trying to woo Bihar voters in different ways. Meanwhile, the Grand Alliance has released its election manifesto. Congress leader Pawan Khera has reacted to the Grand Alliance’s manifesto. The people of Bihar have full confidence Congress leader Pawan Khera said on Tuesday that voters are confident that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, will fulfill their election promises in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. He said that the manifesto focuses on the welfare of Bihar and reflects the alliance’s dedication to the people. These are the big signs in Bihar Dismissing speculation about a rift in the alliance over seat sharing, the Congress leader said that the public is confident that Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi will fulfill their promises. Those who want to see a split are losing elections. He further said that the India Block has gained an edge by announcing its chief ministerial candidate and manifesto, which clearly indicates which way the wind is blowing. Rahul and Priyanka will campaign The Congress leader said, “We announced our chief ministerial candidate first. Our manifesto is also coming first, so you can understand which way the wind is blowing.” Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and all our star campaigners will campaign in their respective constituencies. Notice issued to Prashant Kishor Meanwhile, the Election Commission has issued a notice to Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraj Party, seeking a response within three days regarding alleged duplicate voter lists in Bihar and West Bengal. Explanation required within three days According to a notice issued by the Returning Officer of the Kargahar Assembly constituency, “According to a news item published on October 28, 2025, your name is listed in the voter lists of Bihar and West Bengal… Therefore, you must submit your version regarding your name being listed in more than one constituency within three days.” Criticism from Opposition Parties The Election Commission of India conducted a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to update the voter list, which was criticized by opposition parties. This notice has drawn attention amid the intensive scrutiny of the voter list in Bihar, steps being taken by election officials to ensure transparency ahead of the upcoming elections. Edited by: NBT Desk Courtesy: Hindi News
The Bihar election campaign begins after Chhath, with Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, and Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav launching a “direct attack” on each other.
Bihar Election News: With the Chhath festival over, the Grand Alliance and the NDA have geared up for a strong electoral campaign. Home Minister Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Yogi Adityanath are holding a rally today, Wednesday, October 29th. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are also in the fray. Patna: The countdown for the first phase of voting in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has begun. With the Chhath festival over, political heavyweights have entered the fray today. Not only are Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Yogi Adityanath entering the battleground of Bihar today, but Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are also campaigning for the Grand Alliance. First, learn about the NDA’s campaign today. The NDA has put all its efforts into the Bihar elections. Many prominent leaders from Delhi to Uttar Pradesh are taking to the streets today, October 29th. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and UP CM Yogi Adityanath, along with Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, will also campaign for the Bihar elections today. Learn about these leaders’ schedules first… Amit Shah will seek votes for Maithili Thakur in Alinagar today. Amit Shah will hold a rally in Alinagar, Darbhanga, at 12:15 pm. After this, he will campaign in Rosera, Samastipur, at 1:30 pm, and then in Bhagwanpur, Begusarai, at 3 pm. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will hold road shows in four assembly constituencies in Nalanda district today, October 29th. He will also hold a rally in Harnaut. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will hold an election rally in Hayaghat, Darbhanga. He will also hold rallies in Barh and Chapra. While UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will target Siwan and Buxar, holding rallies in both locations. While Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is scheduled to hold election rallies in Muzaffarpur and Patna Sahib. MP CM Mohan Yadav has been assigned to today’s election rallies in Banka, Bhagalpur, and Madhepura. Grand Alliance’s Election Campaign The Grand Alliance is also going to give the NDA a tough fight in this election campaign. Today, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav will take the field together to counter the NDA’s attacks. Both leaders will jointly lead the election campaign from the same platform. Priyanka Gandhi is also coming to Bihar. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav will jointly hold election rallies from the same platform in support of the Grand Alliance candidates in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga. Tejashwi Yadav will hold back-to-back election rallies in six assembly seats of Chhapra today, October 29th. However, Priyanka Gandhi will not begin campaigning today. Priyanka Gandhi will hold public meetings in Bachhwara in Begusarai on November 1, 2025, in Lakhisarai and Rosera (Samastipur) on November 3, and in Govindganj and Chanpatia (East Champaran) on November 6. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will hold election rallies in Kuchaykot (Gopalganj) on October 31, Amarpur (Banka) on November 3, and Kutumba (Aurangabad) on November 5. Compiled by: Rishikesh Narayan Singh About the Author Rishikesh Narayan Singh is in charge of Bihar-Jharkhand for Navbharat Times Digital. A 20-year journey in journalism spans from Janmat TV, IBN 7, ETV Bihar-Jharkhand, News18 Bihar-Jharkhand, to Times Internet. After starting from the national capital, Delhi, Bihar is now his workplace. Courtesy: Hindi News
Senior RJD neta, bro Tej object to Tejashwi’s ‘nayak’ poster
Patna: Not only the BJP but his own party’s national general secretary Abdul Bari Siddiqui took exception to projection of the INDIA bloc CM face Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as the hero of the people of Bihar, or, ‘jannayak’. While RJD posters with Tejashwi’s photograph, captioned “Bihar ka Nayak” have come up ahead of the assembly elections, he as well as Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, were first called ‘jannayak’ during the recent ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in the state against the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.Siddiqui said it will take Tejashwi time and hard work to get the title of ‘Jannayak’, which is exclusively used for Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, a socialist leader and former CM.“Tejashwi is currently doing politics based on his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s legacy. He is the ‘virasat’ of Lalu Prasad’s politics and may get this honour after establishing himself by following the footsteps of his father and Thakur,” he said. BJP national office-bearer Rituraj Sinha also said the titles like ‘Jananayak’ and ‘Lokanayak’ are earned. “The public bestows these titles based on work and contributions. Thakur and Jayaprakash Narayan did such works because of which they were given the titles of ‘Jananayak’ and ‘Lokanayak’ respectively. Referring to Siddiqui’s statement, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said neither public nor his own colleagues have confidence in him. “Despite contesting elections for years, he has failed to earn people’s trust. Even within his circle, from RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui to Samajwadi Party MLA Ravidas Mehrotra, besides his brother Tej Pratap Yadav, no one sees him as a true leader. In reality, he is neither a people’s leader nor a capable leader; he is a villain of corruption, dynastic politics, criminalisation and jungle raj,” he said. Another BJP spokesman Ajay Alok said Tejashwi is not a ‘nayak’ (hero) but ‘nalayak’ (worthless). Tej Pratap also attacked Tejashwi and Rahul for being called ‘jannayak’ by their party supporters. “Calling yourself ‘jannayak’ doesn’t make you a people’s leader. Karpoori Thakur, Ram Manohar Lohia, Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi were the real ‘jannayak’. Rahul and Tejashwi are under the ‘chatrachaya’ (protection and patronage) of Lalu Prasad. If that protection is removed, they will be nothing,” Tej, the elder son of the RJD chief, said.Courtesy : TOINote: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Elections: Rahul Gandhi to hold first rally on October 29th, Grand Alliance manifesto to be released tomorrow; Priyanka to also take charge soon
Bihar Assembly Election 2025 – The Congress is now ready to enter the Bihar Assembly elections with full force and strategy. Former party president Rahul Gandhi will address his first election rally in the state on October 29th. Priyanka Gandhi will also return from a two-day visit to Wayanad and will soon resume her campaign. Patna: The Congress is now preparing to enter the Bihar Assembly elections with full force. Rahul Gandhi will hold his first election rally in Bihar on October 29th, while Priyanka Gandhi will also return from a two-day visit to Wayanad and will soon join the campaign. According to Congress’s plan, Rahul Gandhi will hold a total of 12 rallies and Priyanka Gandhi will hold 10. Grand Alliance to release its manifesto on October 28th Just a day before, on October 28th, the Grand Alliance will release its manifesto. Rahul Gandhi’s first rally after the manifesto’s release will formally kick off the Grand Alliance’s campaign. Congress has fielded 40 star campaigners for the first phase of the campaign. These include party president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Ashok Gehlot, KC Venugopal, Bhupesh Baghel, and many others. High Command Working to Calm Down Discontent Over Ticket Distribution The Congress high command has taken the lead in addressing the discontent that has emerged within the party over ticket distribution. Senior party leader and Bihar Election Observer Ashok Gehlot, Organization General Secretary KC Venugopal, and Election Screening Committee Chief Ajay Maken arrived in Patna late Saturday evening and reviewed the situation in a series of meetings. Several local leaders had alleged arbitrariness in ticket distribution and neglect of party workers. Party Working on a Special Strategy The Congress leadership wants to send a message of unity within the organization before Rahul and Priyanka’s rallies after Chhath Puja, so that the party can contest with full strength. Rahul Gandhi previously led a Voter Rights Yatra in Bihar, covering 110 assembly constituencies. The party is now working on a strategy to convert that public relations momentum into electoral energy. Edited by: Ravi Sinha About the Author Ravi Prakash Sinha is a senior journalist (Principal Digital Content Producer) at Navbharat Times Online. He has 25 years of experience covering current affairs, Jharkhand-Bihar politics, and ground reporting. Ravi Sinha has been with NBT (Digital) for the past three years. Courtesy: Hindi News
Bihar assembly elections: 56 days and counting – where is Rahul Gandhi?
NEW DELHI: When Rahul Gandhi set out under Bihar’s unforgiving August sun for his ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, it was a test of whether he could still find takers in a land where the Congress survives mostly as a fading afterimage. For 16 days, his campaign carved a noisy trail through dusty highways and crowded colonies. Today, however, as Bihar’s election heat rises and the state readies for a two-phase assembly poll, the buzz is dominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fiery speeches, Amit Shah’s rallies, Tejashwi Yadav’s roadshows and Prashant Kishor’s groundwork. Amid all this, one voice remains missing – Rahul Gandhi. The Congress leaders’s last appearance in Bihar was nearly two months ago, when he wrapped up his yatra at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on September 1. The campaign was pitched as a moral crusade to “protect the vote” – an attempt to awaken Bihar’s electorate against what he called ‘vote chori’ (theft of votes) by the ruling NDA. Over sixteen days, he covered 1,300 km across 25 districts and 110 assembly constituencies – riding motorbikes, donning ‘gamcha’ for local appeal, visiting makhana farmers – often joined by allies like Tejashwi Yadav, Hemant Soren and others. Rahul Gandhi's Voter Adhikar Yatra. But two months later, the narrative has shifted. Rahul, who had briefly stirred Congress’s dormant base through his yatra, seems to have lost the momentum. And instead of leading the charge from the front, its leader is missing in action. When the Mahagathbandhan announced Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate on October 23, the press conference banner carried only one face – Tejashwi’s. Rahul was missing, both on stage and in spirit. Within the alliance, the unspoken verdict seemed clear: he may be the face of opposition on the national level, but he was no longer its in-charge in Bihar. Though there has been no official seat-sharing arrangement, RJD is contesting 143 of the 243 seats of Bihar and Congress is contesting 61 seats. In the 2020 assembly elections, Congress had the worst strike rate in the opposition camp despite Tejashwi’s electrifying campaign that led RJD to emerge as the largest single party. Congress had contested 70 seats, the most in the opposition alliance after the RJD (144), and could win only 19. Pizza breaks and policy talk abroad Since his Patna rally, Rahul Gandhi has appeared in public only five times – none of them in Bihar. In late September, he was spotted at a pizza outlet in Gurugram. In early October, he travelled to Colombia, where he declared that “India’s democratic system is under attack from all sides.” During a talk at the University of Chile, he lamented that “free and scientific thinking” was under “tremendous attack” in India. On October 17, he visited singer Zubeen Garg’s village in Assam to pay tributes. Three days later, he was seen at a sweet shop in Old Delhi, rolling laddoos for the cameras. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, however, maintained that the party’s “full-throttle campaign” will begin only after the Chhath festival. Rahul Gandhi, he said, will tour Bihar on October 29 and 30, followed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party president Mallikarjun Kharge. A joint rally with Tejashwi is planned in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga. But will this late entry work? For the past month, while PM Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda have flooded Bihar with rallies and Tejashwi has built emotional momentum across districts, Congress has remained in political limbo. Rahul’s absence has left party candidates and workers scrambling for visibility and credibility on the ground. His re-entry, barely a week before Phase 1 polling on November 6, feels less like a strategy and more like irrelevance. For now, Congress is trying to make up for his absence by circulating old clips from the yatra, calling Rahul Gandhi the ‘Jan Nayak’ — the “hero of the people.” — INCIndia (@INCIndia) The crisis within the camp Adding to the drift is Congress’s own internal turmoil in Bihar. Ticket distribution had triggered open rebellion, with state leaders accusing AICC in-charge Krishna Allavaru of corruption and favouritism. Disgruntled members were seen protesting at the party headquarters. Their slogan, “Ticket chor, gaddi chhodd,” was an ironic echo of Rahul’s own “Vote chor, gaddi chhodd” taunt at the NDA government. The dissent underscores the deep disconnect between the central leadership and the local cadre, even at the last leg of the election campaign. In recent days, senior leaders like Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel were parachuted in to manage the fallout, both within the party and with allies like RJD. Hemant Soren, who walked with Rahul in Bihar in a show of strength, eventually walked out and decided not to contest elections. But through it all, Rahul has remained absent. BJP’s blitz Meanwhile, BJP has turned Bihar into a campaign battlefield. Prime Minister Modi has led from the front with rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai, urging voters to deliver a “record-breaking victory.” Home minister Amit Shah has addressed meetings in Siwan and Buxar, while BJP president JP Nadda has courted intellectuals in Vaishali. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has been roped in to hold over 20 rallies. The optics are unmistakable, a full-spectrum show of power and coordination. Rahul’s partner, Tejashwi Yadav, has also been a relentless presence on the ground, addressing multiple rallies a day. When asked about Rahul’s absence, he sidesteps diplomatically, but the contract remains too stark to miss. The Chhath countdown Even after literally no presence till now, Congress insists that its campaign will finally shift gears after Chhath Puja (October 27). The party’s manifesto, focusing on social justice and women’s welfare, is scheduled for release on October 28. He is scheduled to address his first political rally along with Tejashwi Yadav on October 29. The duo will hold a joint rally in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga. His late entry may well be planned. But ask any political pundit and they will tell you that in any election, presence on the ground matters the most, and