Purnia/Araria (Bihar): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav drew attention and criticism alike on Sunday after they were seen riding a bullet motorcycle during their ongoing ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar. The incident sparked political reactions, particularly from sacked RJD MLA Tej Pratap Yadav and BJP leaders, who questioned the optics of the move.
Rahul, Tejashwi Continue 16-Day Bihar Yatra
The Bihar leg of Rahul Gandhi’s 16-day campaign, aimed at highlighting alleged irregularities in voter rolls, entered Purnia and Araria districts over the weekend. As part of the yatra, Gandhi — the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha — and Tejashwi Yadav were seen riding a Royal Enfield Bullet through the streets, cheered on by large crowds who gathered to witness the two leaders.
The ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, launched earlier this month, has been projected by the Congress as a movement to safeguard democratic rights. Party leaders claim that names of thousands of voters have been arbitrarily removed from the electoral rolls in Bihar, allegedly to the advantage of the ruling BJP-led NDA.
During the bike ride, locals lined the streets waving and taking videos, as the Congress-RJD alliance sought to project a message of unity and connect with younger voters through unconventional campaigning styles.
Tej Pratap Yadav Takes a Dig
However, the move did not sit well with Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, who has often been at odds with his younger brother Tejashwi. Tej Pratap, who was expelled as an RJD MLA last year following internal disputes, took a sarcastic swipe at the motorcycle ride.
“People should understand who is really riding the vehicle of Bihar’s future,” he remarked on social media, without directly naming Rahul Gandhi or Tejashwi Yadav. His cryptic jibe was widely interpreted as yet another instance of sibling rivalry surfacing in the state’s political landscape.
Tej Pratap has frequently accused Tejashwi of sidelining him within the RJD, and Sunday’s comment is being seen as a continuation of the feud that has long plagued the party’s internal dynamics.
BJP Leaders Question Optics
The BJP was quick to capitalise on the moment, criticising the bike ride as a publicity stunt. Bihar BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand questioned the seriousness of the Congress-RJD campaign, saying, “Instead of addressing real issues like jobs, development, and law and order, these leaders are indulging in bike rides and photo-ops. Bihar needs governance, not gimmicks.”
Other BJP leaders mocked the duo for what they described as “copycat politics,” pointing to similar campaign styles adopted in the past by regional leaders to connect with youth voters. They also accused the INDIA bloc — of which Congress and RJD are key partners — of diverting attention from their “failures and corruption.”
Public Response
Despite political criticism, the visuals of Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav riding together went viral on social media. Many Congress and RJD supporters celebrated the imagery, describing it as symbolic of the “youthful energy and partnership” between the two opposition leaders.
Party workers in Araria said the roadshow and motorcycle ride had energised local cadres, especially first-time voters. “People here are frustrated with unemployment and rising prices. When they see leaders riding with them on the streets, it gives hope,” said a local Congress worker.
Broader Political Context
The Bihar Yatra is significant as it comes ahead of crucial state assembly elections scheduled for next year. The Congress-RJD alliance, which forms a key part of the INDIA bloc, is working to consolidate its position against the BJP-led NDA, which currently governs Bihar with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the helm.
Rahul Gandhi’s campaign in Bihar has been positioned as part of a larger nationwide movement against what the opposition calls “systematic attempts to undermine democracy.” Tejashwi Yadav, who is seen as the RJD’s chief ministerial face for the 2026 assembly elections, has been closely coordinating with Gandhi during the yatra to send a strong message of unity within the opposition.
Tej Pratap’s Growing Isolation
Tej Pratap Yadav’s sharp reaction also highlights his growing isolation within Bihar politics. While Tejashwi has emerged as the principal opposition face in the state, Tej Pratap’s frequent outbursts against his brother and the party leadership have kept him on the sidelines.
Political analysts note that his criticism of Sunday’s bike ride, though seemingly minor, is another indication of his discomfort with Tejashwi’s rising prominence in both state and national politics. “Tej Pratap is trying to stay relevant by taking potshots, but his influence has waned considerably since his expulsion,” said Patna-based analyst Shailendra Kumar.
Looking Ahead
The bullet ride has become a flashpoint in Bihar’s political discourse, with the Congress-RJD alliance portraying it as a gesture of solidarity and the BJP dismissing it as theatrics. Meanwhile, Tej Pratap Yadav’s criticism underscores the fragile undercurrents within the RJD.
As the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ continues, all eyes will be on whether Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav can convert the campaign into electoral momentum — and whether such symbolic gestures resonate with Bihar’s electorate facing pressing issues of employment, education, and infrastructure.
For now, the image of two opposition leaders riding a Bullet together has added a fresh dimension to Bihar’s political theatre, ensuring that the campaign remains firmly in the headlines.
