Patna: With roughly a week to go for Bihar assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is yet to kick start his election campaign in the poll-bound state.
Under the Mahagathbandhan or the Grand Alliance, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India (ML)(L) have fielded their 243 candidates. While the RJD will contest on 144 seats, the Congress will fight on 70; CPI (M-L) has been given 19, CPI (6), CPM (4). The Grand Alliance is being led by RJD's Tejashwi Yadav.
Gandhi will, however, address two rallies on Friday -- at Hisua in Nawada and Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district.
It has to be observed that the Wayanad MP visited his Lok Sabha constituency and attended a review meeting of COVID-19 at Wayanad Collectorate. The main focus of his visit was to review the coronavirus pandemic situation in different areas of his constituency.
Congress played an important role in the 15-year regime of RJD which was ruled by the latter's chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi. Political watchers feel that it is the duty of Rahul Gandhi to play his role by addressing the election campaigns and extend support for the Grand Alliance candidates.
Meanwhile, BJP and RJD are busy interacting with the people, attending rallies and electioneering ahead of polls. In absence of Rahul Gandhi, it is the RJD Chief Tejashwi Yadav who has been at the forefront and addressing the election campaigns.
READ: Rahul Gandhi to kickstart campaigning for Bihar Assembly elections from tomorrow
Tejashwi leads the show
According to party sources, Yadav has also received an overwhelming response from the audience during his rallies. RJD is of the view that there is huge anti-incumbency against Nitish Kumar.
After addressing a rally in Aurangabad, Tejashwi Yadav took to Twitter and said, "This sea of people is standing for change, development, employment and jobs in Bihar. The incompetent NDA govt of 15 years have ruined Bihar. Humbled and grateful to receive rousing reception across Bihar. Such an electrifying crowd in Goh assembly, Aurangabad."
RJD leaders feel that the anger among the migrant workers has triggered the massive footfall in the party's rallies.
Interestingly, there is more demand for RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav more than Rahul Gandhi. There is a superstition about Rahul that luck does not favour the candidates wherever he campaigns. That's the reason that candidates are sceptical about his campaigns and want Tejashwi to hold public meetings in support of their candidature.
Tejashwi has addressed more than 70 rallies in the last one week. Rahul's presence is also important in the context of being the PM face of the opposition in the centre.
READ: Hollow promises each election, but Bhagalpur's weavers still hopeful
What does Congress say?
“I don't agree with this logic because five days are still left for the first phase of polling and the big centre leader always visits the state at this time only. Our other leaders are already campaigning in Bihar and not to forget even the PM is coming tomorrow to the campaign,” said Congress MLC Premchand Mishra.
Asked about why only Tejashwi is leading the show as a one-man army in Grand Alliance, Mishra further said, “In Grand Alliance, RJD is leading and that's the obvious thing. He is the Chief Minister's face and he has to lead the battle from the front. We have already decided to hold two public meetings of all the central leaders before each polling phase. It is not necessary that Rahulji camp in the state for the election. It is leaders of the state who are contesting the election, not Rahulji,”.
He further stressed that senior leaders like Randeep Singh Surjewala are already camping in Bihar and looking after all the election management. Mishra said that Bhupesh Baghelji from Chhattisgarh, Raj Babbarji has already visited and Salman Khurshid ji will also be joining soon.
“As far as Congress's role in RJD regime is concerned, it was Nitishji who played a role in RJD's regime the first term and in the last five years from 2000 to 2005, we had a role. If anyone says that the first time was bad, It is Nitish Kumar who laid the foundation and not Congress. From 1992 to 1994 Nitishji was with Laluji and worked under his leadership, “Mishra said.
All together Rahul will address six public meetings in Bihar whereas PM Narendra Modi will address 12. Gandhi's rally is set to coincide with the programme of PM Modi. The Prime Minister will kick-start his rally from Bhagalpur.
Tejashwi and Rahul will share a joint rally at Nawada's Hisua on October 28. The joint appearance is designed to drive home the message of total unity in the opposition alliance.
This will be the second election campaign in which the Gandhi-Yadav combination is leading the opposition alliance in Bihar.
READ: Is BJP relying on polarisation of votes for Bihar assembly elections?
