Rahul’s Bihar Yatra Sparks Political Storm: BJP Rethinks, NDA Unites Behind Modi-Nitish Duo
Image via The Indian Express
Patna | August 27, 2025 — Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar is turning into a massive political event. Day after day, the yatra is pulling huge crowds in towns and villages. The Congress leader has taken the campaign on roads, riding with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Together, they are pushing the INDIA bloc into the spotlight. The response has made the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sit up. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is now working harder to project unity and reinforce the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Yatra’s Journey Across Bihar
Rahul Gandhi launched the Voter Adhikar Yatra on August 17 from Sasaram. The yatra is planned to continue till September 1, ending in Patna with a large public gathering. The route covers over 1,300 kilometers and moves through almost all major districts—Supaul, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Madhubani, Samastipur, and more.
The campaign is not just a political march. It is also a show of street power. At every stop, supporters are seen waving flags, chanting slogans, and gathering in thousands. Many villages decorated roadsides with banners. For Congress, this is the biggest show of strength in Bihar in many years.
Message of the Yatra
The core message of Rahul’s campaign is simple: protect the right to vote. He accuses the BJP and the Election Commission of unfairly removing names from voter lists. Rahul has repeatedly used the phrase “vote chori” or vote theft. According to him, lakhs of poor, Dalits, and minority voters are being targeted under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
He says, “This is not just an election issue. This is about democracy itself.” The INDIA bloc parties, including RJD, CPI(ML), and CPI(M), are fully supporting this stand.
Priyanka Gandhi Joins the Yatra
The yatra gained more attention when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined Rahul in Supaul. Her presence boosted the morale of workers and drew larger crowds. Soon, more leaders from the INDIA bloc are expected to join. Leaders like M.K. Stalin, Revanth Reddy, and others are scheduled to walk with Rahul.
The joint appearance of Congress and RJD leaders is sending a strong signal of unity. For the opposition alliance, this campaign is as much about spirit as it is about numbers.
BJP Feels the Heat
The success of Rahul’s yatra has worried the BJP. Leaders privately admit that they did not expect such crowds. Many had thought the campaign would be ignored. Instead, it has become the biggest political event in Bihar this season.
The BJP is also facing criticism on multiple fronts. Opposition leaders have raised allegations about ambulance scams, misuse of government institutions, and rising unemployment. Even Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj movement has been pointing to governance failures. These attacks have somewhat dented BJP’s long-time image of clean and effective governance.
NDA Hits Back with Strategy
To counter this, the BJP and its allies have prepared a new strategy. The NDA has formed 14 special teams. Each team will cover different regions and hold press conferences in all 38 districts.
Leaders like Ravi Shankar Prasad and Shahnawaz Hussain are being sent to the ground. They are highlighting welfare schemes, infrastructure work, and law-and-order achievements under Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi.
The NDA wants to prove that it is united. For this, BJP and JD(U) flags will fly together in every rally. The message is clear—Modi plus Nitish equals stability.
INDIA Bloc’s Strength on Display
While the NDA is focusing on unity, the INDIA bloc is showing energy on the ground. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are addressing rallies together. The alliance is preparing a common manifesto that will promise jobs, farmer support, and stronger rights for backward classes.
At the rallies, Tejashwi speaks of unemployment, while Rahul speaks of democracy. This mix of issues is attracting both rural youth and urban voters. Opposition leaders say that this is not only about 2025 Assembly elections but also about sending a message for the 2029 General Election.
Nitish Kumar’s Role
Nitish Kumar is a central figure in this political drama. Less than two years ago, he had switched sides—from INDIA bloc back to the NDA. Now, he is again standing with the BJP. His image as an experienced administrator is important for NDA’s campaign.
The BJP hopes that Nitish’s connect with rural Bihar and his history of social justice politics will balance Modi’s national appeal. The two leaders together project a message of trust and governance.
Why BJP Is Worried
The BJP’s main fear is not just the crowd numbers. It is the enthusiasm of the people. The yatra has created a buzz across Bihar. Even in NDA strongholds, people are turning up in large numbers to see Rahul and Tejashwi.
There is also worry about caste equations. Dalit and minority votes may shift more firmly to the INDIA bloc if voter roll issues continue to dominate headlines. Small parties like VIP and CPI(ML) are adding to the alliance’s reach.
NDA’s Counter Campaign
To balance this, NDA has planned mega rallies featuring both Modi and Nitish. The Prime Minister is expected to hold several public meetings in September and October. Nitish will tour rural areas and highlight his schemes like roads, electricity, and women’s empowerment.
The NDA’s campaign slogan will emphasize stability, development, and trust in Modi’s leadership. The message is that only NDA can provide a strong government, while the opposition is divided and opportunistic.
Political Drama Ahead of Elections
The Bihar Assembly elections are due in October–November 2025. Both sides know that Bihar holds national importance. A strong INDIA bloc performance here could set the tone for future battles. For BJP, retaining Bihar is crucial to keep NDA dominance intact.
The coming weeks will see more rallies, yatras, and public meetings. Both sides are investing maximum energy. For voters, this means endless political drama on the streets, in the media, and on social platforms.
Key Highlights at a Glance
- Rahul’s Yatra: Started on August 17, ends on September 1, covering 1,300+ km.
- Core Issue: Voter list changes, “vote chori” allegations.
- Crowd Impact: Surprising turnout in villages and towns.
- INDIA Bloc Unity: Rahul, Priyanka, Tejashwi, and other leaders walking together.
- BJP Concerns: Fear of losing Dalit and minority support, dent in clean governance image.
- NDA Strategy: 14 outreach teams, 38 district campaigns, Modi-Nitish rallies ahead.
This Bihar showdown is shaping up as one of the most heated election battles of the decade. Rahul’s roadshow has added spark. BJP and JD(U) are striking back with unity and Modi-Nitish’s combined power. The coming months will decide if the INDIA bloc’s crowd energy can beat the NDA’s organizational strength.