After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi conducted an elaborate yatra in Bihar, raising the issue of “vote chori” and accusing the BJP of having a backdoor understanding with the Election Commission of India, the grand old party is now planning to deploy its ace campaigner once again. Gandhi is expected to hold a major rally after Chhath Puja on Monday to build momentum for the opposition alliance, the Mahagathbandhan, a week before the assembly elections.
According to sources, the final date has not been confirmed yet, but the rally is likely to be held on Tuesday (October 28). Political analysts say there is visible churn on the ground; however, the opposition remains wary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose speeches and presence continue to energise voters and consolidate the BJP’s support base.
With Rahul Gandhi’s renewed presence, Congress aims to counter Modi’s personality cult by organising large-scale public gatherings, focusing on issues that the current JD(U)-BJP government has failed to address, thereby attempting to make the elections issue-driven rather than personality-based.
Speaking to THE WEEK, Congress spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari said, "Rahul Gandhi, who earlier spent 14 days in Bihar during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, had then raised his voice against “vote chori” and stood with the people of the state. During that period, he focused on awakening the conscience of Bihar’s farmers, labourers, and youth, urging them to fight for their rights rather than fall prey to divisive politics. Gandhi’s message is being accepted by people as he highlights how politics in the state is shaped by religion and caste, leaving ordinary people deprived of economic justice. His renewed engagement will rebuild the Congress’ connect with those who feel alienated by polarisation."
Party insiders say that the Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and party's top orator Priyanka Gandhi will also join the party campaign in Bihar after the puja, which is the state's biggest festival.
However, after the seat-sharing arrangement, a small section of leaders has been protesting against the current Congress leadership in the state, led by in-charge Krishna Allavaru, accusing him of foul play in ticket distribution. A senior Congress leader dismissed the allegations, saying, “There is no evidence to suggest that the tickets were not distributed sincerely. Those accusing the leadership of selling tickets are largely the ones who didn’t get them. This happens in every election—there will always be aspirants who feel left out. Interestingly, this is the first time the Congress has denied tickets to the sons of former ministers and individuals who have long tried to keep the party under their control.”
With this rally, the party leaders think the Congress as a party and the Mahagathbandhan as an alliance will solidly align together once again, a week before the crucial assembly elections, which will streamline the political energies of the cadres. The Congress will be contesting more than 55 seats and expecting to win not less than 25 assembly seats.
A Congress leader said, "Our strike rate has been very low the last time, as we won just 19 out of 70 seats. Now we have 17 remaining in the assembly and four sitting legislators have been denied tickets. We are working hard to win more than 25 seats. This can also help energise our cadre for the next five years and consequently help us expand our base in the state."