The political landscape in Bihar is heating up as the assembly elections draw closer. Rahul Gandhi, representing the Congress party, continued his voter rights campaign for the third day on Tuesday. He visited Nawada, accompanied by prominent figures like Tejashwi Yadav, highlighting the alliance’s solidarity. During a public address in Nawada, Gandhi launched a strong critique of the BJP, accusing them of electoral misconduct in partnership with the Election Commission. He contested the demand for affidavits concerning vote-rigging allegations, promising that the people of Bihar would themselves submit affidavits to the Election Commission. He cited the alleged conspiracy discovered after losses in Haryana and Maharashtra after examination of votes cast in some constituencies.
Adding to the political dynamics, Narendra Singh, a former Janata Dal United (JDU) MLA known for his influence, has joined the RJD. He announced this development in Begusarai, emphasizing his commitment to the RJD. Singh’s move followed a meeting with Tejashwi Yadav, sparking speculation about his political alignment. He also shared his experience of a narrow election defeat, highlighting the lack of support he felt from the NDA and Nitish Kumar.
In other news, former Union Minister Nagmani, former IPS officer Anand Mishra, and Ashutosh Kumar joined the BJP in a ceremony at the BJP office in Patna. The event was attended by senior BJP leaders including state president Dilip Jaiswal, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, and Vijay Kumar Sinha, alongside numerous party workers. The joining of Nagmani and others with their supporters further bolstered the BJP’s presence.
RJD spokesperson Chitaranjan Gagan highlighted the ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ led by Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi, calling it a burgeoning mass movement. The yatra has seen participation from large numbers of people across various districts, including Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Nalanda, and Sheikhpura. The third phase of the yatra will begin on August 21 from the Three Mohani Durga Temple in Sheikhpura.
The RJD spokesperson underscored that the movement transcends a mere change in government, emphasizing its commitment to upholding the constitution and democracy, as well as safeguarding the right to vote. The remarkable success of the ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ has triggered unrest within the BJP and NDA. Allegations of vote theft and the subsequent distress among NDA leaders are leading to irrational statements. The BJP and JDU are aligned with the Election Commission’s stance, and the Election Commission appears to be echoing their views, thereby revealing its alleged bias.
Former Bihar minister and leader of the Vikassheel Insaan Party, Mukesh Sahani, asserted that the Voter Rights Yatra has gained significant public support. He emphasized the public’s outrage over the reported vote manipulation, indicating that the people of Bihar are prepared to hold those involved accountable.
Sahani accused the BJP of colluding with the Election Commission to steal votes and undermine the constitution and democracy. The public’s commitment to protecting the right to vote is evident through the yatra’s support. He asserted that the participation demonstrates the common people’s determination to establish a government that represents their interests.
JDU leaders, including Neeraj Kumar, launched an attack on the Mahagathbandhan. They criticized the Congress party for a social media post that referred to Rahul Gandhi as a ‘Jan Nayak’. They accused the Congress of disrespecting the sentiments of the people of Bihar and the legacy of Karpuri Thakur, a revered socialist leader. They also suggested that the post insulted former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar.
Bihar’s Minister of Road Construction, Nitin Navin, criticized the joint campaign of Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. He pointed out that the public’s disapproval of these leaders was evident during their campaign. Navin criticized Rahul Gandhi’s stance, highlighting what he views as hypocrisy as he is trying to portray himself as a well-wisher of Bihar while his sister allegedly supports the mistreatment of Bihari workers in Punjab.
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya expressed that the voter rights campaign had transformed into a significant movement, mentioning how people along the route welcomed the campaign with chants of protest.
From August 20, the JDU Youth Cell is planning to launch the ’20 Years of Progress – Yuva Samvad’ program to promote the Nitish government’s achievements at the booth level. The Atipichda Cell and the Youth Cell will dispatch teams to various constituencies to promote their activities.