Bihar’s political arena is witnessing heightened activity as the upcoming assembly elections approach. Rahul Gandhi, representing the Congress party, continued his voter rights campaign on Tuesday, with a visit to Nawada. He was joined by Tejashwi Yadav and other coalition leaders. Addressing a public gathering in Nawada, Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing them of collaborating with the Election Commission to manipulate the elections. He challenged the demand for affidavits related to alleged vote tampering and asserted that the people of Bihar would file their own affidavits to the Election Commission. He cited the aftermath of losses in Haryana and Maharashtra.
In a significant political shift, former JDU MLA Narendra Singh, known for his influence, has joined the RJD. He announced this decision in Begusarai, expressing his alignment with the RJD. Singh’s move followed a meeting with Tejashwi Yadav, leading to speculation about his political affiliations. He also highlighted his past electoral defeat and the perceived lack of support from the ruling coalition.
Also, several notable figures, including former Union Minister Nagmani and former IPS officer Anand Mishra, joined the BJP at the state BJP office in Patna. BJP leaders, including the state president, attended the event. Nagmani, along with his wife and supporters, formally joined the BJP.
RJD spokesperson Chitaranjan Gagan emphasized that the ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ led by Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi has become a widespread movement, attracting large numbers of people. The yatra has covered various districts. The third phase is scheduled to commence on August 21 from Sheikhpura.
The RJD spokesperson stated that the movement is not solely focused on a change in government; it aims to protect the constitution, democracy, and the right to vote. The ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ has generated unease within the BJP and NDA, with the NDA leaders displaying signs of concern due to allegations of vote theft. The BJP and JDU are perceived as being aligned with the Election Commission, which is seen as supporting their position.
Mukesh Sahani, a former Bihar minister, highlighted the robust public support for the Voter Rights Yatra, emphasizing the public’s outrage over vote manipulation and the determination of the people of Bihar to hold those responsible accountable.
Sahani accused the BJP of colluding with the Election Commission to steal votes. He mentioned that the overwhelming response to the Yatra demonstrates the public’s resolve to establish a government that represents their interests.
JDU leaders, including Neeraj Kumar, criticized the Mahagathbandhan, referring to a social media post by the Congress. They claimed this demonstrated a lack of respect for the people of Bihar and the legacy of Karpuri Thakur. They also claimed that this was an insult to former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar.
Bihar’s Minister of Road Construction, Nitin Navin, criticized the joint campaign of Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. Navin highlighted what he views as hypocrisy and accused Rahul Gandhi of seeking to portray himself as a well-wisher of Bihar while supporting the alleged mistreatment of Bihari workers in Punjab.
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya discussed the voter rights campaign, emphasizing its transformation into a significant movement.
The JDU Youth Cell will launch ’20 Years of Progress – Yuva Samvad’ to promote the Nitish government’s achievements at the booth level. Teams are set to be dispatched starting August 20 and 21.