Bihar is witnessing a dynamic political environment in the run-up to the assembly elections. The ‘Voter Rights Yatra,’ organized by the India alliance against the SIR, is providing a stage for notable interactions and discussions. In light of the upcoming elections, new political alignments are emerging, potentially overlooking past conflicts. One of the key developments is the apparent closeness between Pappu Yadav, the Member of Parliament from Purnia, and Tejashwi Yadav.
Regardless of whether it’s a result of evolving political landscapes or strategic planning, Rahul Gandhi appears to have succeeded in uniting Tejashwi Yadav and Pappu Yadav. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the RJD did not support Pappu Yadav for the Purnia seat, instead fielding their own candidate. Nevertheless, Pappu Yadav contested as an independent MP and allied with the Congress, a strategy that has seemingly proved effective.
In addition, during a recent protest in Patna against the Election Commission, Pappu Yadav and Kanhaiya Kumar were not permitted to join Rahul Gandhi in his vehicle. A video of Pappu Yadav’s exclusion garnered significant attention on social media. However, both the Congress and RJD have now accepted Kanhaiya and Pappu Yadav. This is demonstrated by Pappu Yadav’s presence alongside Tejashwi Yadav in Rahul Gandhi’s car during the Voter Rights Yatra in Purnia, where he also delivered a speech.
During the Voter Rights Yatra, Tejashwi Yadav warmly welcomed Pappu Yadav, saying, ‘We welcome Pappu Yadav Ji to the land of Araria.’ Pappu Yadav, in his subsequent address, hailed Tejashwi as a ‘Jannayak’ (people’s leader) and his brother, emphasizing his efforts to combat terror.
With the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, Tejashwi Yadav has been designated as the CM face by the alliance, a fact acknowledged by Rahul Gandhi. Rahul has significantly contributed to bridging the gap between Pappu Yadav and Tejashwi, underscoring the importance of inclusivity for Tejashwi’s aspirations to become CM. This perspective has clearly influenced Tejashwi.
