The Voter Rights Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, concluded in Patna with political tensions escalating in Bihar. Former Chief Minister and current Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi launched sharp criticism against the two leaders ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections.
He dismissed the Yatra as meaningless and accused both leaders of being politically bankrupt. According to Manjhi, their campaign will not influence voters, and after the 2025 polls, neither Rahul Gandhi nor Tejashwi Yadav will hold relevance in state politics.
Manjhi Labels the Yatra “Meaningless”
Jitan Ram Manjhi, the veteran politician and founder of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), did not mince words. Speaking at a public event, he declared that the Yatra being carried out by Rahul and Tejashwi was without direction and purpose.
He claimed that both leaders had failed to present a convincing vision for Bihar. Instead of addressing real issues, they were engaging in hollow rhetoric. Manjhi went further, saying both had become “mentally bankrupt” in their political approach.
He predicted that their campaign would fade away and people would forget them after the 2025 Bihar elections.
Criticism of Remarks Against the Prime Minister
During the rally in Patna, Manjhi also condemned the language used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by opposition leaders on the stage shared by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav.
He said that using offensive words for the country’s leader reflected poorly on the opposition. According to him, personal attacks weaken the opposition’s credibility instead of strengthening their political message.
Manjhi argued that instead of insulting the Prime Minister, leaders should focus on issues such as employment, education, and development.
Dismissal of Prashant Kishor’s Party
Jitan Ram Manjhi also took aim at political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor and his party. He dismissed the organization as “baseless” and claimed it lacked roots in the political landscape of Bihar.
According to Manjhi, the party is unlikely to survive because it does not represent the real concerns of Bihar’s poor and marginalized communities. He stressed that Bihar’s political fight is not about showmanship but about grassroots connections and addressing long-standing social and economic challenges.
Manjhi’s Ambitious Promises
The Union Minister also made bold promises for the future. He announced that if more legislators from his Hindustani Awam Morcha enter the Bihar Assembly, he would work to secure land rights for 1.3 million landless families in the state.
Manjhi said he would ensure that each family received 1.25 acres of land for building homes and farming. Additionally, he promised that for every five families, the government would provide one tractor to support agricultural productivity.
These promises were aimed at consolidating his image as a leader of the poor and landless in Bihar.
A Call to Reject Temptations in Elections
Addressing the public, Manjhi appealed to voters not to fall for inducements. He urged them to reject cash, liquor, or other bribes during elections and instead vote for their future and the future of their children.
He emphasized that elections must not be decided by short-term temptations but by a vision for long-term progress. According to him, the strength of democracy lies in the ability of citizens to make wise and independent choices.
Support for Voter Revision Drive
Manjhi also supported the ongoing voter list revision drive in Bihar. He argued that the process was transparent and fair. According to him, allegations made by the Mahagathbandhan leaders about irregularities were attempts to mislead the public.
He claimed that the opposition alliance was raising false concerns because it feared defeat in the upcoming elections.
Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav’s Yatra in Bihar
The Voter Rights Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had been launched as a campaign to raise awareness about electoral reforms and the importance of protecting democratic institutions.
The Yatra traveled across multiple districts before concluding in Patna. It was seen as an attempt to energize the opposition base and position the Congress-RJD alliance as a strong alternative in Bihar.
However, critics like Manjhi argue that the Yatra failed to connect with real issues on the ground. He claimed that speeches during the Yatra were filled with rhetoric but lacked concrete solutions.
Bihar Politics Ahead of 2025 Elections
With the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections approaching, the political atmosphere in the state has become increasingly heated. Alliances are shifting, leaders are exchanging barbs, and promises are being made to secure the loyalty of voters.
Rahul Gandhi’s partnership with Tejashwi Yadav represents the opposition’s attempt to counter the BJP-led NDA in Bihar. However, internal rivalries, leadership doubts, and competing ambitions continue to cast shadows over the effectiveness of the opposition alliance.
Meanwhile, leaders like Jitan Ram Manjhi are working to expand their base among marginalized communities by positioning themselves as true representatives of the poor and the landless.
Manjhi’s Political Strategy
By attacking both Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, Manjhi is positioning himself as a strong regional voice. His rhetoric is designed to appeal to rural voters who feel neglected by mainstream parties.
His focus on land distribution and agricultural reforms aims to strengthen his image as a leader committed to social justice. This strategy could help his party play a crucial role in coalition politics after the elections.
The clash of words between Jitan Ram Manjhi and the opposition leaders highlights the intensity of Bihar’s political contest. Manjhi’s description of the Voter Rights Yatra as “meaningless” and his predictions about Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav’s political decline have added fuel to the ongoing debate.
At the same time, his promises of land reforms and tractors for farmers reflect an attempt to address real issues affecting millions in Bihar.
As Bihar moves closer to the 2025 elections, voters will face competing visions. On one side are promises of social justice and grassroots empowerment, while on the other are campaigns centered on electoral rights and national-level politics.
Whether the electorate supports the grand alliance of Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav or leaders like Manjhi who claim to represent the marginalized, the upcoming elections will decide the political trajectory of Bihar for years to come.
