Patna, August 17: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday sent out a strong political message from Bihar as he launched his Voter Adhikar Yatra, making it clear that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav would be leading the charge in the state.
The symbolic moment came during the rally when Tejashwi Yadav took control of a jeep’s steering wheel while Gandhi occupied the passenger seat. The gesture, though simple, carried weight in the political narrative — signaling that the Congress is ready to play the role of a supportive partner, while allowing Tejashwi to take the “driving seat” in the Bihar campaign ahead of the crucial assembly elections later this year.
Tejashwi, widely regarded as the INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial face in Bihar, joined Rahul Gandhi at Sasaram, where the Yatra was formally flagged off. The two leaders shared the stage, addressed gatherings, and travelled together throughout the day, before concluding their joint schedule in Aurangabad.
By placing Tejashwi at the forefront, Rahul Gandhi sought to reinforce the message of unity and coordination within the opposition alliance, while also acknowledging the RJD leader’s growing popularity in the state. Political observers view the move as a strategic attempt to consolidate anti-BJP votes and present a cohesive alternative under Tejashwi’s leadership, with Congress playing a complementary role.
The day’s events not only marked the start of Gandhi’s statewide outreach but also underscored the emerging power-sharing dynamics within the INDIA bloc in Bihar — where symbolism often carries as much weight as strategy.
