Rahul Gandhi speech in Bihar: Rahul Gandhi has made his agenda completely clear as soon as he started the election campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections with Grand Alliance’s Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav. His very first rally has made it clear who will be his target, and his speeches will be more ‘Mann ki Baat’ than ‘electoral politics’. While sharing the stage with Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, along with repeating the old points, also raised some issues which can prove to be harmful from the electoral point of view, especially for those who are dreaming of coming to power in Bihar.
Controversial remarks of ‘drama’ and ‘dance’
As soon as he reached Bihar for the election campaign, Rahul Gandhi’s anger burst directly on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His old style of personal attacks again came to the fore, which has proved costly for Congress in the past.
Disputed comment: Rahul Gandhi said in the election rally, “If you say Narendra Modi ji… you do such a drama, they will do it for votes. Whatever you want to get done, you get it done… Look brother, we will vote for you. You come on the stage and dance, they will dance… Whatever you want to get done, get it done.”
Previous controversy: This is not the first time. Even during the Voter Adhikar Yatra, there was a huge uproar over derogatory words being used for Modi’s mother, on which Prime Minister Modi expressed grief and called it an insult to every mother, sister and daughter of the country.
Personal attacks always backfire, but Rahul Gandhi has once again chosen the same path. This attitude can prove to be harmful for Grand Alliance candidate Tejashwi Yadav in terms of electoral politics.
Constitution and the evergreen issue of ‘vote-stealing’
Though no mention of vote theft has been heard from the mouth of Tejashwi Yadav or Bihar Congress leaders, as soon as Rahul Gandhi reached Bihar, he raised the issue loudly and linked it to the attack on the Constitution.
Attack on the Constitution: Rahul Gandhi tried to explain to the people that whatever rights every person of India has got, they have got them from the Constitution, and today BJP and RSS are attacking the Constitution.
Definition of vote theft: He also explained what an attack on the Constitution is. He said, “When Narendra Modi… steals votes, hollows out any institution, and appoints RSS people to some post, it is an attack on the Constitution.”
Resolution: He assured that they will continue to protect the Constitution, and no one can abolish it. This was the main issue of Rahul Gandhi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections also.
‘Made in Bihar’ vs ‘Made in China’ pitch
In ‘Vocal for Local’ style, Rahul Gandhi explained to the people what kind of Bihar he wants. During this, he targeted Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said that his remote control is in the hands of BJP.
Emphasis on local industry: He asked people, “Tell me what is written on the back of your phone… Made in China. Narendra Modi ji has destroyed all small businesses by implementing demonetization and GST… Wherever you look, it is Made in China.”
Vision for Bihar: He said, “We say that it should not be made in China, it should be made in Bihar… Mobiles, shirts, pants, all these should be made in Bihar and the youth of Bihar should get employment in those factories… We want such a Bihar.”
What will Bihar get from Yamuna pollution?
Rahul Gandhi also raised an issue in his rally that has no direct connection with the local electoral politics of Bihar—the pollution of Yamuna in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi alleged that clean water was filled in the polluted Yamuna from the other side for Prime Minister Modi, so that Modi could do drama. But, as soon as the public saw the clean water pipeline on TV, Narendra Modi refused to go there.
Rahul Gandhi concluded that “This is the reality of India, where there is clean water for the rich… and dirty water for the poor.” The issue of Yamuna in Delhi may be of concern to the people of Bihar living in Delhi, but it is irrelevant to the rest of the common voters of Bihar.
Old strategy to corner Adani-Ambani
The issue of Adani and Ambani is one of Rahul Gandhi’s favorite topics, which he raised vigorously in Bihar elections also. Rahul Gandhi specifically mentioned the land in Mumbai’s Dharavi, on which people from Bihar live, and alleged that the land was given to businessman Gautam Adani. He claims that the land of farmers in Bihar was snatched away and given to Adani for one rupee. Attacking the Prime Minister, he said that Modi says that he has given internet data at low cost to the youth of Bihar, but the truth is that the owner of Jio (Ambani) is taking advantage of it. He alleged that Narendra Modi did not give data to the public, but gave internet spectrum to Ambani. The question is, will Rahul Gandhi be able to get votes for the Grand Alliance candidates in Bihar by raising these issues? By raising these national and irrelevant issues, Rahul Gandhi may not increase the problems of Grand Alliance’s Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav, whose entire focus is on employment and local development.
