SASARAM
Enthusiastic youth, rooftop gatherings of voters, loud music, booming announcements about “vote theft” and Tejashwi Yadav’s projected comeback have charged up the opposition’s campaign against Nitish Kumar’s two-decade rule in Bihar. Adding to the momentum is the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, launched from Sasaram, the historical capital of Sher Shah Suri and the electoral bastion of Jagjivan Ram.
Posters at the rally display the faces of nearly every opposition leader. Groups of Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress workers wave banners and shout “Mahagathbandhan zindabad” as they march. Cadres of smaller parties join in.
On stage, two leaders of the younger generation—55-year-old Rahul Gandhi and 35-year-old Tejashwi—prepare to address the crowd. “My elder brother, leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi, has given the BJP a hard time,” Tejashwi says. “Together, we are here to defend your fundamental right, the right to vote.” Clips of Rahul and Tejashwi bonding, including one of Rahul pouring water for RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, are quickly circulated on social media to project closeness and unity within the INDIA bloc.
During Tejashwi’s speech, some RJD supporters chant “Rahul Gandhi zindabad”, underscoring how the Congress leader has injected new energy into the campaign ahead of the assembly polls. The crowd is buoyant, with many convinced that nothing can stop the RJD-led alliance from defeating the ruling National Democratic Alliance.
Rahul repeats on stage what he said at his much-watched press conference on August 7: that the BJP, through the Election Commission of India, has manipulated voter lists to ensure its victory. “After Rahul exposed the Election Commission, we must support the Mahagathbandhan more aggressively,” says Babban Singh, 63, who travelled from Buxar to attend the rally.
Tens of thousands gather at these meetings to see Rahul and Tejashwi. BJP supporters, however, dismiss the allegations, pointing to a lack of evidence and noting that the Election Commission has mounted a legal challenge. Leaders from the saffron camp call the charge of “vote theft” a “political drama” designed to spread confusion.
What makes the campaign striking, says political analyst Madan Mohan Jha, is the BJP’s inability to provide a strong factual rebuttal. “This is the second time after the ‘Constitution in danger’ slogan during the Lok Sabha polls that the opposition has managed to frame a powerful narrative.” A Congress mayor, requesting anonymity, says Rahul’s presence after the “exposé” will strengthen the Congress both organisationally and electorally, boosting the Mahagathbandhan’s prospects.
Meanwhile, some of Nitish Kumar’s traditional voters appear unsettled. Political observers argue that anti-incumbency, combined with “age politics” against the 74-year-old chief minister, could weaken the NDA. The opposition claims the BJP is manipulating the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls to disenfranchise RJD supporters and tilt the outcome.
Baisakhi Ram, 70, from Kesarpura in Aurangabad district, says the election system is under BJP control. “No matter how hard the Mahagathbandhan works, it will be the BJP that returns to power,” he says. Akhilesh Yadav, a 40-year-old labourer in Sheoganj, voices similar concerns. “The BJP is using this revision to steal RJD votes so they can rule forever. Tejashwi gave jobs and worked hard as deputy chief minister. But how will I vote for him? My voter ID still hasn’t been issued.”
Apart from consolidating their base, opposition parties are targeting swing voters who decide late and tend to vote on issues rather than loyalty. They are also attempting to penetrate Nitish’s traditional support base through stronger cadre mobilisation. Balgovind Prajapat from Sheoganj says his son Ranjan, 25, still has no voter ID, along with around 200 others in their village of 1,800. “Last time we voted for Nitish. This time we are not sure. We may vote for the Mahagathbandhan,” he says.
Sensing uncertainty among Nitish’s supporters, RJD MP Abhay Kushwaha says that voting for Nitish could only help the BJP retain power. “We are working to gain their confidence, which will ensure our victory. Some EBCs (Extremely Backward Classes) and other groups are likely to shift towards us. And the ‘vote theft’ narrative is resonating. The more the Election Commission denies it, the more its credibility suffers.”
Opposition leaders believe they now have the momentum to sustain their campaign through the elections and beyond. Analysts say Bihar politics has shifted: earlier the BJP set the agenda while the Congress reacted, but now the BJP is being forced to respond to Rahul. RJD leader Ajit Singh believes there is an undercurrent against the ruling alliance. “This yatra has planted doubt about the NDA’s survival among the people. They may not say it openly but they will show it in the elections.”
Still, the BJP cannot be dismissed. With its disciplined cadre, strong booth-level presence and support from the administrative machinery, it remains a formidable player. The Mahagathbandhan, despite the energy of the “vote theft” campaign, lacks comparable organisational depth in several regions. On the ground, the gap is evident. Vipin Bihari Dubey, 65, a farmer from Suara near Sasaram, admits the opposition has stirred hopes of change but warns, “They must work harder to turn this momentum into victory.”
Whether these charged gatherings reflect a decisive shift remains uncertain. Congress’s Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru says it is too early to judge. Experts note that RJD supporters often create an early air of victory, projecting confidence long before results. While the contest looks neck and neck for now, the question is whether the “vote theft” charge will remain a rallying slogan or actually turn into votes.