With Bihar’s assembly elections on the horizon, the political climate is intensifying. Rahul Gandhi’s voter rights campaign continued on Tuesday, with the Congress leader visiting Nawada. He was accompanied by Tejashwi Yadav and other coalition allies. During a public gathering in Nawada, Gandhi strongly criticized the BJP, alleging that the Election Commission was complicit in rigging the elections. He challenged the demand for affidavits concerning allegations of vote tampering, stating that the people of Bihar would themselves submit affidavits to the Election Commission. He referred to the circumstances revealed after the losses in Haryana and Maharashtra.
Former JDU leader Narendra Singh, known for his influence, has joined the RJD. He announced this in Begusarai, expressing his solidarity with the RJD. Singh’s decision followed a recent meeting with Tejashwi Yadav, fueling speculation about his political moves. He also spoke about his past electoral loss and how he felt ignored by the ruling coalition.
Furthermore, several 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, were present at the event. Nagmani, along with his wife and supporters, formally joined the BJP.
RJD spokesperson Chitaranjan Gagan noted that the ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ led by Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi has evolved into a significant movement, drawing large crowds throughout its journey. The yatra has passed through several districts, with the third phase scheduled to begin on August 21st from Sheikhpura.
The RJD spokesperson clarified that the movement is not merely about a change in government, but about safeguarding the constitution, democracy, and the right to vote. The ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ has caused unrest within the BJP and NDA, with the NDA leaders exhibiting signs of discomfort due to vote theft allegations. The BJP and JDU are seen aligning with the Election Commission, which is perceived to be favoring their stance.
Mukesh Sahani, a former Bihar minister, voiced that the Voter Rights Yatra is receiving strong public support. He highlighted the public’s anger over perceived vote manipulation, signaling that the people of Bihar are ready to hold those responsible accountable.
Sahani accused the BJP of colluding with the Election Commission to steal votes. He said that the public’s support for the Yatra demonstrates their determination to establish a government of the common people.
JDU leaders, including Neeraj Kumar, criticized the Mahagathbandhan, focusing on a social media post by the Congress that referred to Rahul Gandhi as a ‘Jan Nayak.’ They asserted that this showed a disregard for the sentiments of the people of Bihar and the legacy of Karpuri Thakur, a respected socialist leader. They also alleged 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 accused Rahul Gandhi of hypocrisy, claiming that he is trying to portray himself as a well-wisher of Bihar while his sister supports the mistreatment of Bihari workers in Punjab.
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya emphasized the transformation of the voter rights campaign into a broad movement, noting the welcoming reception of the campaign along the way.
The JDU Youth Cell will launch ’20 Years of Progress – Yuva Samvad’ to promote the Nitish government’s accomplishments at the booth level. Various teams will be dispatched starting from August 20 and 21.