Every time Congress and Rahul Gandhi attempt a political campaign, the end result seems to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. The recently concluded ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar was no different. Marketed as a people’s movement to highlight alleged “vote theft,” it turned into a controversy-ridden spectacle, drawing sharp criticism and exposing rifts within the opposition alliance. From PR gimmicks such as bike rides for Instagram reels to the shocking incident where a man abused PM Modi’s late mother from the stage, the yatra became a disaster. Instead of strengthening RJD, Congress weakened its strongest ally in Bihar.
A Grand Plan That Fell Flat
Rahul Gandhi launched the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ from Sasaram, covering 23 districts, 1300 km, and 67 constituencies over 16 days. The stated goals were twofold: to make alleged “vote theft” a major issue and to project Tejashwi Yadav as the CM face of the I.N.D.I. Alliance. But on both counts, the campaign fell flat. Locals simply did not buy into the “vote theft” narrative. Instead, they supported Special Intensive Revision Exercise (SIR), arguing that infiltrators, outsiders, and bogus voters must be removed from electoral rolls. By ignoring ground sentiment, Congress alienated the very voters it hoped to mobilize.
Rahul Gandhi Overshadowing Tejashwi Yadav
For RJD, the yatra was supposed to be an opportunity to showcase Tejashwi Yadav as the emerging leader and alternative to Nitish Kumar. However, Rahul Gandhi turned the spotlight entirely on himself. His PR-heavy approach posing for reels, riding bikes, and hogging media attention overshadowed Tejashwi. Analysts pointed out that Rahul’s refusal to explicitly endorse Tejashwi as the CM candidate exposed cracks in the alliance.
The Congress also began flexing its muscles for a better seat share in the alliance, with reports suggesting it might now demand more than the earlier estimate of 40 seats. But on the ground, this brought no real electoral advantage. Instead, it created bitterness between RJD and Congress leaders, weakening alliance chemistry at a crucial time.
Controversies That Sank the Yatra
The yatra was mired in multiple controversies that sank its credibility. The most damaging incident occurred in Darbhanga, where an individual on stage hurled filthy abuses at PM Modi’s late mother. The video went viral, prompting outrage across the nation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology, while PM Modi himself, with a breaking voice, called it an insult not just to his mother but to all mothers of Bihar and India. The emotional appeal struck a chord with voters, further isolating Congress.
Another controversy erupted with the participation of Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin. Old remarks by DMK leaders calling Biharis “toilet cleaners” and describing Sanatan Dharma as a disease came back to haunt the alliance. BJP spokespersons accused Rahul and Tejashwi of traveling with people who insulted Bihar’s dignity.
Smaller controversies, such as sidelining Pappu Yadav and the disappearance of Kanhaiya Kumar mid-yatra, only reinforced the perception of disunity and chaos. Instead of presenting a united front, the I.N.D.I. alliance appeared fractured and confused.
Loss of Issues, Loss of Credibility
Perhaps the biggest strategic blunder of the Congress-led yatra was that it killed the issues RJD wanted to highlight. Tejashwi Yadav had built credibility among young voters by talking about education, jobs, and development. But the Congress-imposed “vote theft” agenda diverted focus and robbed Tejashwi of his strongest talking points.
As a result, the youth who were beginning to view Tejashwi as a credible leader drifted away. The jungle raj memories still haunt older voters, while younger ones who were open to alternatives found nothing new in the Congress narrative. The so-called unity march ended in Patna with an underwhelming roadshow instead of the grand Gandhi Maidan rally originally planned, symbolizing the collapse of its momentum. Even analysts critical of the BJP admitted that Congress gained little more than an organizational revival.
A Yatra That Helped Modi More Than Congress
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ was meant to be a show of strength for Congress and its allies in Bihar. Instead, it became a case study in how poor planning, hollow narratives, and repeated controversies can destroy a political campaign. The abuse incident against PM Modi’s late mother turned public sympathy strongly in Modi’s favor, while Rahul’s Instagram-style theatrics exposed the hollowness of the exercise.
The end result is clear: instead of strengthening the I.N.D.I. bloc, Congress weakened it. Instead of empowering Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul overshadowed him. And instead of hurting BJP, the yatra handed Prime Minister Modi and the NDA fresh ammunition for the coming polls