Rahul Gandhi to hold joint rallies with RJD tomorrow

With Bihar heading into a high-stakes election, the Congress will release its manifesto on Tuesday, marking the formal launch of its full-scale campaign in the state. The move comes as the party seeks to reassert its position within the Mahagathbandhan and inject momentum into its poll effort. Senior leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to join the campaign soon after the Chhath festival.

Rahul Gandhi will kick off the Bihar campaign on October 29 with joint rallies alongside RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Muzaffarpur’s Sakra constituency and Darbhanga. This will be his first visit to the state since September 1, when he addressed a rally in Patna at the conclusion of his Voter Adhikar Yatra, during which he called for social justice and employment, declaring, “If Bihar rises, India rises.”

According to Bihar Congress media department chairman Rajesh Rathore, Rahul will address his first meeting at the Sakra (Reserved) Assembly seat in support of Congress candidate Umesh Ram, followed by another rally in Darbhanga, backing RJD and alliance nominees.

Rahul’s return follows nearly two months of intense campaigning by the BJP’s top brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. His absence had become a talking point in political circles, making his upcoming rallies a key test of the Congress’s ability to regain ground in Bihar’s competitive political landscape.

After weeks of deliberation, the Mahagathbandhan has announced Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial face, with Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani likely to serve as his deputy if the bloc comes to power. The Congress, contesting on a reduced seat share, is banking on Rahul’s campaign restart and the manifesto release to consolidate its base and project unity within the opposition camp.

Meanwhile, CPI(ML) Liberation, another INDIA bloc constituent, has already released its Sankalp Patra, pledging land reforms, justice for the landless and 65 per cent reservation for disadvantaged groups. Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said the party’s priorities include redistribution of 21 lakh acres of land, loan waivers for farmers and legal protection for Dalits against violence and police excesses.

With its manifesto release on Tuesday and Rahul’s campaign days later, the Congress hopes to capitalise on its earlier momentum from the Voter Adhikar Yatra and reassert itself as a central pillar of the Mahagathbandhan alliance.