Where is Rahul Gandhi? Why is he missing from battlefield as BJP launches full-throttle campaign?

Rahul Gandhi, Leader, Congress. (File Image)

While the BJP is mounting a political blitzkrieg ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly Election, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah addressing election rallies across the state, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is conspicuous by his long absence. Under the scorching sun and brutal heat of August 17, the Voter from Sasaram started the Adhikar Yatra. He continued to inspire people and question the Union government, the ruling coalition and the Election Commission for 16 days, covering 1,300 km and 110 assembly constituencies spread across 25 districts of the poll-bound state, and completed his program in Patna on September 1.

Rahul Gandhi Yatra

Rahul Gandhi embarked on a four-state tour of Latin America, where he claimed that “democracy in India is under attack from all sides.” He was attacked at the University of Chile after complaining that “free thought in India is under tremendous attack.” On October 17, singer Zubin visited his village to pay tribute to Garg. Rahul Gandhi was last seen at a sweet shop in Gurugram near Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the battlefield after sounding the poll trumpet created controversy. Analysts say all is not well in the opposition alliance of Mahagathbandhan. However, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said that the Congress will start ‘full throttle campaign’ after the Chhath Puja festival. He also announced that Rahul Gandhi will go to polls in Bihar on October 29 and 30 before holding a joint rally with RJD’s Tejaswi Yadav in Muzaffarpur. Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge will also campaign in Bihar.

Congress campaign Bihar

The Congress witnessed dissent and open rebellion, with disgruntled party members and leaders at the local level openly protesting the party leadership’s decisions regarding ticket distribution. They raised the slogan ‘Ticket choir, gaddi chhor’, a reflection of Rahul Gandhi’s slogan ‘Vote, gaddi chhor’. Senior party leaders like Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel rushed to douse the fire. Rahul Gandhi remained out of this turmoil.

On the other hand, the BJP left no stone unturned to reach out to as many voters as possible. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi led from the front and addressed election rallies in Begusarai and Samastipur, Home Minister Amit Shah attended election rallies in Siwan and Buxar. The BJP President addressed a rally in Vaishali.

As the Chhath festival comes to an end, Rahul Gandhi is also likely to hit the road. But analysts believe it is now too late and the damage has already been done.