Rahul Gandhi’s Late Bihar Entry Raises Questions on Congress Strategy and Unity
Nearly two months after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi promised a revelation “as explosive as a hydrogen bomb,” the Congress party is set to formally launch its campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections. However, Gandhi’s prolonged absence from the state’s political scene and the internal unrest over ticket distribution have triggered questions about the party’s preparedness, strategy, and its standing within the Opposition alliance.
The elections, scheduled to begin on November 6, will serve as a crucial test for both the Congress and the Mahagathbandhan, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led by Tejashwi Yadav.
Congress Yet to Regain Ground After Candidate Turmoil
Since the publication of the Congress’s final list of candidates, discontent has rippled through its Bihar unit. Several senior leaders and ticket hopefuls, who found themselves excluded from the list, have voiced their frustration both privately and publicly. The process of ticket allocation has reportedly been marred by allegations of favoritism, internal lobbying, and corruption, prompting localized protests and resignations in some districts.
According to party insiders, the candidate selection process, which was expected to project unity, ended up exposing deeper fissures between the central leadership in Delhi and the state unit in Patna.
“The list came late, and the disagreements came faster,” one Congress functionary said on condition of anonymity. “By the time issues were raised, it was too close to nomination deadlines. That affected our coordination with allies.”
Election Commission’s “Zero Appeals” Sparks Political Reactions
Adding to the political backdrop, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recently completed its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s voters’ list. The final electoral roll, released on September 30, listed the updated number of electors with “Zero Appeals” as of October 27 — a rare claim by the poll body.
While the ECI hailed this as evidence of transparency, the Congress and other Opposition parties alleged that the process lacked independent verification and disproportionately benefited the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Senior Congress spokespersons have repeatedly accused the ECI of “vote theft” and manipulating voter lists to favor the ruling party — a charge the Commission has categorically denied.
The ECI also announced that similar revisions will soon be rolled out in 12 more states and Union Territories, including politically sensitive ones like West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, where Assembly elections are expected by mid-2026.
Rahul Gandhi’s Absence and the Missing Momentum
While Congress leaders in Bihar grapple with internal challenges, Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the state’s political landscape has become a major talking point. Despite his earlier promise of a campaign “hydrogen bomb,” Gandhi remained occupied with other national commitments and did not participate in early poll groundwork.
Reports initially suggested that he would personally negotiate seat-sharing arrangements with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, but the task was eventually delegated to party emissaries. This led to delays and confusion, especially in constituencies where both allies fielded candidates.
Party insiders say the lack of early coordination cost Congress valuable time in mobilizing its base. “We had the energy after the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, but without Rahul ji’s leadership on the ground, it started fading,” said a state youth leader from Bhagalpur.
The ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’: A Lost Spark
In August, the Congress launched its ambitious “Voter Adhikar Yatra”, covering 1,300 km across 25 districts of Bihar. The march, aimed at highlighting voter rights and opposition to alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, generated significant enthusiasm at the time.
However, the momentum dwindled after the yatra concluded on September 1, as the leadership failed to sustain the campaign’s visibility. Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav, fresh off the joint yatra, launched his own solo outreach programs in key constituencies — further amplifying the perception that the Congress was lagging behind its allies.
“Momentum in politics is like oxygen,” said a Patna-based political observer. “You can’t store it for later use. The Congress had it in August, but by October, it was gone.”
Internal Discord and Public Silence
The turbulence over ticket distribution has also strained relations between the Congress’s central and state leadership. Several state leaders accused the party high command of ignoring ground realities and favoring individuals with proximity to Delhi-based strategists.
As a result, there have been multiple instances of Congress candidates contesting against Mahagathbandhan allies, prompting speculation of coordination failure within the alliance.
Questions have also been raised over Gandhi’s continued silence. Despite repeated media queries on his absence, neither his office nor the party’s communications department offered any clarification until now.
Late Entry and the Stakes Ahead
Rahul Gandhi is finally expected to enter the campaign trail with joint rallies alongside Tejashwi Yadav on October 29 and 30. Sources within the Congress say his schedule was affected by ongoing festive season events and other national-level engagements, but critics argue that this explanation may not hold weight with the electorate.
With Phase One of polling set for November 6, political analysts believe the timing of Gandhi’s return may have more symbolic impact than strategic value.
“Rahul Gandhi joining the campaign just a week before polling might boost morale temporarily, but organizationally, it’s too little, too late,” said Dr. Prabhat Kumar, a political science professor at Patna University. “Voters notice presence. Ground visibility matters more than speeches.”
Opposition in Overdrive: BJP and RJD Take the Lead
While the Congress struggled to coordinate internally, its rivals and allies have been active on the ground. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and senior BJP leaders have held multiple rallies and public meetings across Bihar in recent weeks, focusing on governance, welfare schemes, and national security.
On the other hand, Tejashwi Yadav has kept the Mahagathbandhan’s narrative alive through his solo tours and interactions with local communities. His proactive approach has reportedly won praise from sections of the alliance, though it has also highlighted the contrasting levels of energy between RJD and Congress.
The Road Ahead for Congress in Bihar
Despite the setbacks, senior Congress leaders insist that the party remains optimistic. Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming rallies, they claim, will help “reset the narrative” and refocus attention on local governance issues, unemployment, and alleged centralization of power by the BJP.
However, the underlying question persists — can a late entry and a fractured organization convert enthusiasm into votes?
Political watchers suggest that even if the Congress manages to perform modestly, the long-term challenge lies in rebuilding trust among its cadre and strengthening coordination with allies.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Rahul Gandhi’s delayed entry into Bihar’s electoral battlefield underscores both a tactical gamble and an organizational gap within the Congress. While his campaign presence might still energize supporters, the absence of sustained groundwork could blunt its overall impact.
As Bihar heads into a high-stakes election, the Congress’s ability to transform last-minute symbolism into electoral substance will determine whether the party can reclaim relevance — or remain overshadowed by its more agile allies.