From lost ground to a possible revival, can Rahul turn Bihar into the crucible of opposition politics?
YOU MAY LOVE him, loathe him, or hate him, but Rahul Gandhi’s slow yet steady transformation into the rallying point of the INDIA bloc is hard to miss. What once looked improbable is now turning into a political metamorphosis — unsettling for the NDA. After two decades of relentless efforts to discredit him, the BJP now faces a Leader of Opposition who appears more resilient, relatable, and central to the opposition’s narrative.
Rahul has once again taken to the streets, this time with his Vote Chori Yatra in Bihar, to revive a party gasping for breath since 1990. If the Bharat Jodo Yatra gave him a national platform, this march carries a sharper edge — alleging “stolen votes” and questioning the very legitimacy of India’s electoral system. Covering 1,300 km across 25 districts, he has placed Bihar at the core of his political battle.
The Election Commission has demanded affidavits to back his claims, while NDA leaders dismiss his rhetoric. Yet Rahul has done what Congress veterans could not in three decades — inject fresh energy into a moribund organisation. Planned with military precision, the Yatra has unsettled the BJP and strengthened Congress’ bargaining power within the INDIA bloc, especially against RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav ahead of the 2025 polls.
Revival vs Resistance
Congress has long been irrelevant in Bihar, surviving only on coalition scraps. Since its 1990 ouster, its structure withered and vote share collapsed. Rahul’s 15-day Yatra has briefly reversed that perception. By focusing on “vote theft” instead of Hindutva or temple politics, he tapped into simmering discontent across caste and class lines.
Workers who had drifted to RJD or BJP now sense revival. Once-empty offices draw crowds, and Rahul’s connect with rural voters, students, and women has been stronger than expected.
The ruling NDA, meanwhile, cannot ignore this narrative. By centring the debate on “stolen votes,” Rahul has forced the BJP to defend the credibility of elections — a pillar of its legitimacy.
Even the Commission’s pushback shows his charge struck a nerve. For a party that thrives on its image of electoral invincibility, even whispers of malpractice can be corrosive. Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) too faces pressure, its democratic credibility questioned by both allies and adversaries.
Bihar: The Opposition’s Testing Ground
Bihar’s 2025 election is more than a state contest. A strong Congress performance would boost the INDIA bloc for 2029, while failure could undo months of coordination. The stakes rise further with Assam, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry polls in 2026, making Bihar the opening act of a two-year cycle that shapes national politics.
The immediate hurdle is seat-sharing. RJD remains dominant, and Tejashwi Yadav knows it. But Rahul’s Yatra strengthens Congress’ claim for more seats. Too few will demoralise cadres; too many risks breaking bloc unity. How he navigates this test will reveal whether his instincts have matured.
Beyond arithmetic, the Yatra raises bigger questions. By alleging systematic vote theft, Rahul challenges not only the BJP but also the institutions that safeguard elections. Critics say he undermines trust; supporters argue he exposes a dangerous reality. If voters believe him, the BJP risks losing moral authority. If not, Rahul risks being dismissed as crying wolf. Either way, the conversation is now open.
A Gamble With National Stakes
The Vote Chori Yatra is more than state-level mobilisation. Rahul is trying to build a political arc from Bihar 2025 to Lok Sabha 2029. But Congress must look beyond the euphoria — rebuild organisation, invest in booth networks, and win back voters it lost decades ago.
The RJD-Congress equation will require delicate handling if momentum is to last.
Rahul Gandhi’s gamble carries national implications. It seeks to revive Congress in Bihar while reshaping the opposition’s narrative against the BJP. Whether it succeeds will be decided in 2025. Victory could transform Congress into a credible player; defeat may reduce the Yatra to symbolism. Either way, Bihar has once again become the crucible of Indian politics — and Rahul has placed his bet squarely on its soil. 
________
Also Read:
Waterlogging in Indian Cities: A Recurring Urban Disaster
K. S. Tomar
The writer, a senior political analyst, is a former Editor of the Hindustan Times' Rajasthan edition and has spent nearly four decades in journalism, including a six year stint in Nepal where he covered Sino-India-Nepal complex relationship and had a ringside seat to the Himalayan Kingdom's transition into democracy.
Disclaimer : PunjabTodayNews.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayNews.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.
Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.
— Team PT