Rahul Gandhi’s political campaign in Bihar has taken shape with the launch of the ‘Voter Rights Yatra,’ beginning in Sasaram and continuing in Gaya. The yatra, which started on Sunday, is intended to highlight alleged concerns regarding electoral practices. The schedule in Gaya includes a visit to the Surya Dev temple and a public event in the evening, with an overnight stay arranged at Rasalpur Cricket Ground.
The yatra involves key participation from the ‘INDIA’ alliance, including Tejashwi Yadav. The aim is to restore the Congress party’s electoral base, which has seen a decline over the past three decades. Currently, the Congress is a junior partner in Bihar’s political scene, functioning as part of the Rashtriya Janata Dal-led Grand Alliance. Evidence of the Congress’s standing can be seen in its performance in the previous elections. The party contested 70 seats and won 19, significantly less than the RJD’s 75 wins from 144 seats.
This campaign, scheduled to span 16 days and cover 20 districts, is designed to reconnect with the electorate and will cover approximately 1,300 kilometers. It is seen as a way for the Congress to boost its support, especially during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter lists.
The planned route incorporates important cities such as Aurangabad, Gaya Ji, Nawada, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Chhapra, and Arrah. The campaign is set to conclude with a ‘Voter Rights Rally’ at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on September 1, where many national-level INDIA alliance leaders are expected to attend.
Rahul Gandhi has planned the ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ route with care, beginning in Sasaram, recognized as a Dalit stronghold and rich with historical significance, specifically referencing Babu Jagjivan Ram and Meira Kumar.
A primary objective of the yatra, spearheaded by Gandhi and Yadav, is to garner support from Dalit and Muslim communities, traditional Congress supporters. This effort is visible in Rahul Gandhi’s focus on Dalit voters during his recent visits to Bihar. The goal is to rally the party’s core voters and attract new support.
The yatra route highlights the significance of the Gaya district for the Grand Alliance. In the 2020 assembly elections, the NDA and the Grand Alliance both achieved success in this region. The region’s historical context, particularly concerning its Dalit population, adds to the yatra’s significance.
The varying results of the NDA and the Grand Alliance in regions like Aurangabad, Nalanda, and Newada underscore the fluid dynamics of the political landscape.
The 1990s showed the Congress with a voter share of 24.78% in Bihar. This number has seen a decline. Rahul Gandhi has organized several rallies and events to connect with Dalits. He also handed over the command of the Bihar Pradesh Congress to Dalit leader Rajesh Ram. He also appointed another Dalit leader, Sushil Pasi, as the co-in-charge of the party to show himself as a well-wisher of this community. Rahul Gandhi is now trying to provide further proof of his goodwill by conducting this yatra from Dalit-Muslim-dominated areas. It remains to be seen what impact these efforts have on the voters of Bihar.