The Voter Rights March began from Sasaram and successfully reached Patna, despite minor incidents along the way. Organized under the INDIA bloc's banner, Rahul Gandhi led every step of the way. Although leadership occasionally shifted to Tejashwi Yadav during Gandhi’s brief return to Delhi for the vice-presidential election, his influence remained dominant.
Though Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav participated together, Gandhi remained the focal point. Much like his Bharat Jodo Yatra three years ago, Congress aimed to establish a strong presence. Unlike the minimal support then, this march appeared to redeem that ambition.
In Bihar's context, Tejashwi Yadav deserved more attention, akin to Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh. Why couldn’t he capture similar visibility? The question persists.
It’s uncertain how the Voter Rights March will influence Bihar's legislative elections. Crowds seldom translate into votes. Throughout the march, Congress banners and chants of Rahul Gandhi dominated, posing challenges for Tejashwi Yadav.
The key question remains: What did Tejashwi Yadav gain from the Voter Rights March compared to Congress and Rahul Gandhi?
Rahul as PM Candidate, and Tejashwi?
The essence of the march reflects who truly stole the limelight. If Tejashwi’s fortnight commitment resulted in negligible gains, it would be deemed a squandered effort. Unlike previous tours aimed at mobilizing party workers, this march centered on Gandhi.
Tejashwi often referred to Gandhi as a 'big brother’, even proposing him as a future Prime Minister. In contrast, Gandhi deflects questions about opposition candidates for Bihar’s Chief Minister, instead echoing Congress leaders' perspectives during the march.
Though there’s no guaranteed increase in Congress seats from the march, it raised their visibility. While Tejashwi may have experienced limited benefits, Gandhi’s presence in talks has been significantly higher, challenging expectations.
With Tamil Nadu's CM MK Stalin and Telangana's Revanth Reddy attending the march, it was advantageous for Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc. However, it posed a disconnect for Tejashwi, as regional sentiment in Bihar often sways against external influences.
An unresolved query is whether Rahul Gandhi has freed Congress from the shadow of being RJD's follower in Bihar, or even turned the tables. These questions are essential, with potential answers forming in people's minds already.
Kanhaiya Kumar may not feature prominently, but Pappu Yadav praises Gandhi. Yadav underscores local and youth support for Gandhi as a bulwark for democracy and rights.
Tejashwi recently faced backlash over statements regarding regional parties' ideologies. RJD leader Manoj Jha suggested Congress allows regional entities to drive, relegating itself to a supportive role — especially in regional stronghold areas. The march seemed to place Congress in the driving seat in Bihar, at least temporarily.
Mamata’s Distance, Akhilesh’s Proximity
Mamata Banerjee's distance from the march signifies Congress dominance. Though engaged in INDIA bloc meetings in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi's visible leadership caused her to downplay participation in Bihar.
Had Mamata attended, it would have added weight. Her routine involves sending senior leaders when she’s absent. However, for this march, low-profile representatives like Yusuf Pathan attended, signaling a mere formality on her end.
Akhilesh Yadav's support is noteworthy, aligning Tejashwi with someone benefitting from the 'Special Intensive Revision' agenda. Akhilesh's presence complements Bihar's caste equations, beneficial to Tejashwi amidst challenges from other regional figures.
In a rally call echoing Awadh's ejection of BJP, Akhilesh attempts a similar call for Magadha. Bihar’s MY-factor politics coincide with his influence, potentially offsetting challenges from others like Stalin and Reddy.
As Gandhi seems to enhance Congress’s bargaining power for seats in the 2025 elections, Tejashwi finds himself slightly outdone.
