Political tensions continue to escalate in Bihar as the state gears up for assembly elections. The opposition accuses the ruling NDA of electoral malpractices, mounting a challenge. The ‘Voter Rights March,’ spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi, concluded Monday, but independent MP Pappu Yadav was again excluded from traveling on a vehicle during the event. Video footage circulating on social media captured the incident and has become a point of contention.
During the concluding day of the ‘Voter Rights March,’ Pappu Yadav, the Lok Sabha MP from Purnia, faced another setback. He was already seated in the vehicle when he was asked to step down. A heated argument erupted between Yadav and a female Congress leader present. The event unfolded near JP Golambar in Patna.
Reports suggest that after RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi left from Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, Pappu Yadav was seated in another vehicle within the convoy. The same vehicle also carried a female Congress leader. Even though Pappu Yadav was already seated, a member of Rahul Gandhi’s team requested that he exit the vehicle.
The situation escalated, leading to a heated exchange between Pappu Yadav and the other individuals. A sharp argument ensued between them. Bhai Virendra, an RJD MLA from Maner, was also on the scene. After a tense exchange, Pappu Yadav was instructed to leave the vehicle.
This is not the first incident where Pappu Yadav was prevented from using a vehicle. Previously, on July 9, during a Bihar bandh organized by the Mahagathbandhan in Patna, Pappu Yadav was not permitted to board a vehicle. At that time, Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, Dipankar Bhattacharya, and other coalition members were present. Pappu Yadav’s attempt to board a vehicle during the demonstration was thwarted. He was later compelled to clarify that he had no intention of boarding the vehicle.
When questioned about the incident, MP Pappu Yadav explained that his name was not on the list, therefore he had no reason to be on the stage. He added that he only went to ensure that his leader, Rahul Gandhi, had safely boarded the truck. He also noted that the Bihar bandh was called by the Congress party, and he had followed their leadership’s instructions in doing so.
In addition to Pappu Yadav, Kanhaiya Kumar, a young Congress leader, also attempted to board a vehicle but was denied permission. This event was also captured on video and went viral. However, during the Voter Rights March, Pappu Yadav had one occasion to be in a vehicle.