Election campaign intensifies in Bihar after Chhath; Rahul Gandhi takes "dance" jibe at PM Modi, BJP calls him "immature"

Patna (Bihar) [India], October 29 : As the Chhath festivities in Bihar ended, the election campaign has taken a dramatic turn with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking a heated exchange between the two parties. The BJP hit back at him, terming him "politically immature and bankrupt."
During a rally in Muzaffarpur, Rahul Gandhi said, "If you tell Modi ji to dance on stage in return for votes, he would dance."
Leaders from both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan in Bihar launched aggressive campaigns to sway voters ahead of the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly polls.
Bihar's political narrative is now dominated by pressing issues such as unemployment, corruption, education reforms, internal security, and the future of governance.
Responding to the NDA's aggressive campaign across Bihar, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, took centre stage at an election rally in Muzaffarpur.
He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being willing to do anything for votes and ran an emotional attack on what he described as a disregard for the people's real concerns.
"He (PM Modi) just wants your vote. If you ask him to do a drama for votes, he will. You can make him do anything. If you tell Narendra Modi to dance, he will dance," Gandhi said amid loud cheers from the crowd. He amplified what he described as "vote theft" by the BJP, reiterating allegations that elections in Maharashtra and Haryana were manipulated, and warning that similar attempts would be made in Bihar.
The LoP further alleged that the BJP and the RSS were attacking the Constitution, which he said was the foundation of citizens' rights.
He stressed that every right--from the ability to vote to access to education and healthcare--existed due to the Constitution framed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
"Whatever you have got till date, be it vote, education, or health, is because of the Constitution. Narendra Modi and the RSS are attacking it. When they steal votes, they attack it. They attack Ambedkar's Constitution. When they hollow out any institution of India, when they give the post of Vice Chancellor to an RSS man, they attack the Constitution, and I am telling you that we will protect the Constitution. No one can destroy it," Rahul said.
Pointing to PM Modi's symbolic participation in Chhath, Gandhi claimed the Prime Minister's involvement was insincere and staged for political benefit.
"He has nothing to do with Chhath Puja. Narendra Modi went to bathe in his swimming pool. He has nothing to do with the Yamuna," he said, taking a dig at the Prime Minister's photo opportunity in Delhi.
The Congress leader also targeted the government over the recurring issue of paper leaks impacting students in Bihar, calling it a betrayal of the youth's aspirations.
He argued that children of privileged families gain unfair advantages, while hardworking students are left behind. He referred to recent arrests in the NEET-UG paper leak case, reminding the public that Bihar had been at the centre of national controversy.
"The youth of Bihar can work as hard as they want, but only those who get the papers first will advance in the exam. Whenever the exam is held, the rich kids with connections get the papers a day before, and the hard work of Bihar's youth, the honesty of Bihar, the truthfulness of Bihar, gets a slap in the face," he said.
Asking PM Modi to respond to US President Donald Trump's claim that he brokered a peace deal between India and Pakistan, subsequently stopping Operation Sindoor.
"Trump is insulting Modi in country after country. The latest is South Korea. Repeated that he used trade to frighten Modi into stopping Operation Sindoor. Said 7 planes were shot down. Don't be scared, Modi ji, find the courage to respond," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari responded, calling Rahul Gandhi a "local goon" and accusing him of mocking voters and Indian democracy. Bhandari claimed that Rahul Gandhi's remarks insulted the poor people of India and Bihar who have voted for PM Modi.
Delhi CM Gupta also accused the Congress leader of "political immaturity" and said his comments distanced him from the faith of millions.
"The manner in which Rahul Gandhi has begun his election campaign in Bihar is not only a symbol of political immaturity but also a gross insult to the faith of millions of Chhath devotees," the Delhi CM said.
In a post on X, Gupta alleged that Rahul Gandhi has insulted the sentiments of Chhath devotees and mocked Indian cultural traditions.
"The derogatory remarks made about Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji reflect Rahul Gandhi's political bankruptcy. This proves that the Congress has no agenda for Bihar, and therefore, they are compelled to resort to personal accusations for cheap popularity," she said.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking in Samastipur, framed the election as a battle between progress and chaos. He insisted that the return of the RJD-led alliance would plunge the state back into what he and his party have repeatedly branded as "jungle raj."
Shah used mythological symbolism to stress alliance unity. "The upcoming elections are an opportunity to make Bihar free from jungle raj. In the NDA, all five allies, like the Pandavas, are contesting the elections together. NDA's victory in the Bihar elections is certain," he asserted.
Campaigning in Begusarai, Shah intensified his attack against dynastic politics, accusing Lalu Prasad Yadav and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi of trying to secure top posts for their sons.
"Lalu ji wants his son to become the Chief Minister, and Sonia Gandhi wants her son to become the Prime Minister. But Bihar mein na CM pad khali hai, Delhi mein PM pad khali hai. Aapke beto ka number nahi lagne wala hai," he said, claiming that Bihar already has Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and India has Prime Minister Narendra Mod, i who will continue in their roles.
The Home Minister also raised concerns about alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators residing in Bihar and appearing on voter lists, alleging that opposition parties protect them to secure votes. He vowed that a strong NDA victory would allow the complete removal of such individuals from the state.
"Should Bangladeshi infiltrators be included in the Bihar price payer list?" he asked the crowd. Expanding the security narrative further, Shah accused the Popular Front of India (PFI) of attempting to expand Islamist extremism in Bihar. "PFI has started flourishing in Bihar, aiming to make the entire Bihar an Islamic state," he said. He credited PM Modi for banning PFI nationwide after raids in which several members were arrested. "The work of ending terrorism or Naxalism on the soil of this country has been done by PM Modi. Bihar has become Naxal-free under PM Modi's rule, and on 31st March 2026, we will end Naxalism from the entire country," Shah added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), questioning whether the people of Bihar feel ashamed of Lalu Prasad Yadav, who has spent several years in jail on corruption charges. The transition from festive calm to political intensity has been swift, marking the beginning of a heated electoral contest.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing a public rally in Darbhanga on Wednesday, launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav. Questioning the legacy of the RJD supremo, Singh asked the people of Bihar whether they felt a sense of shame over the years Lalu Prasad spent in jail for corruption.
He asserted that RJD's governance had tarnished Bihar's image not only nationally but globally.
"RJD defamed Bihar not only in the nation but throughout the world. There are allegations of corruption against the whole family. A former Chief Minister has to spend years in jail. Doesn't this make every Bihari feel ashamed? You all have to decide whether you want to make a 'Viksit Bihar' or 'jungle raj'," Singh told the gathering.
Further slamming the Mahagathbandhan's poll promises, he criticised RJD's claim that it would provide a government job to every household in Bihar, calling it an unrealistic attempt to mislead voters.
"RJD released the manifesto for the elections, and they have pledged a government job for every household in Bihar. Is this possible? Can't Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Lalu Prasad Yadav practise politics of truth? Why are they lying?" he asked.
The battleground for the 2025 Bihar elections is becoming clearer with each passing day. The National Democratic Alliance comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.
On the other hand, the Mahagathbandhan features RJD, Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and Vikasheel Insaan Party.
Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj movement has decided to contest all 243 seats, adding a third force to the high-voltage electoral arena.
Polling is scheduled to take place in two phases, on November 6 and November 11, with the results to be declared on November 14.