Sat Jan 18 09:43:12 UTC 2025: ## Rahul Gandhi’s Patna Visit Sparks Speculation Amidst Bihar Election Buzz
**Patna, January 18, 2025** – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Patna today is attracting significant attention as Bihar gears up for assembly elections later this year. The visit comes amidst ongoing debates surrounding the face of the INDIA alliance. Gandhi will address a “Constitution Protection Conference” at Bapu Sabhagar and subsequently address party workers at Sadaqat Ashram. A key question remains: will he meet with RJD leaders Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav?
This is Gandhi’s first Patna visit since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While he previously visited for campaign rallies and the June 23, 2023, opposition alliance meeting in Patna, his current visit fuels speculation about the state of the INDIA alliance and the upcoming Bihar elections.
The timing is significant, coinciding with the RJD’s national executive meeting in Patna. This meeting may see the party formally announce Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate for the 2025 elections.
The relationship between the RJD and Congress, though historically complex, has been an electoral alliance since the 2000 assembly elections. While past interactions between Gandhi and Yadav have been cordial, including instances like Yadav’s offer of marriage to Gandhi and a shared cooking experience, recent political statements suggest some strain within the INDIA alliance.
Tensions have emerged, particularly after Tejashwi Yadav’s controversial statement that the INDIA alliance was only for the Lok Sabha elections. Although he later retracted his statement, the incident underscores the uncertainty surrounding the alliance’s future in Bihar. The RJD’s support for the AAP in the Delhi Assembly elections further fueled these concerns.
Bihar Congress spokesperson Rajesh Rathour downplayed the possibility of a meeting between Gandhi and Yadav, citing a packed schedule and focusing on Gandhi’s engagement with civil society. However, Rathour emphasized the enduring strength of the INDIA alliance in Bihar, a sentiment echoed by RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad, who noted the Congress’s independent event. Ahmad also stated that any meeting between the two leaders would be a matter of their mutual agreement.
Senior journalist Sunil Pandey commented on the possibility of a deliberate scheduling conflict between Gandhi’s visit and the RJD meeting, suggesting a potential reflection of the growing tensions and the Congress’ weak ground presence in Bihar. He noted that despite outward displays of unity, the two parties are engaged in political bargaining ahead of the crucial assembly elections. The visit will serve as an important indicator of the INDIA alliance’s strength and the dynamics between the key players in Bihar’s political landscape.
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