Everything That Happened In RJD's Patna Rally In 10 Points

On 3 February 2024, the Jan Vishwas 'maharally' of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), held at the iconic Gandhi Maidan of Patna, became a show of strength for members of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDI Alliance).

Here is a round-up of the rally in 10 points:

1. First such rally since Nitish Kumar’s exit

It was the first such rally after Nitish Kumar, a probable prime ministerial candidate for INDI Alliance, decided to ditch the group and joined forces with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The RJD and INDI Alliance faced a setback in the wake of Kumar’s exit. In response, Tejashwi Yadav travelled through the state on a ‘Jan Vishwas Yatra’, that culminated in the Gandhi Maidan rally.

2. First INDI Alliance rally in northern India

The region has become a tough nut to crack for parties under the alliance. The growth of Hindutva politics and delivery of Centre's social welfare programmes have resulted in diminishing vote shares of regional parties.

The latest blow to them was the pran pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

The Patna rally was the first major political event of the INDI Alliance in northern India since the opening of the Ram Mandir.

3. Competing with Begusarai rally of NDA

On the same day as the RJD rally in Patna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Begusarai to inaugurate various projects. CM Nitish Kumar was also present on the occasion.

Begusarai is considered as a strong constituency for the BJP with Union Minister Giriraj Singh representing the seat. Thus the first Sunday of March saw both the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and INDI Alliance trying to dominate the popular narrative in Bihar.

4. Rahul Gandhi took a break from his yatra

Prominent figures like CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary D Raja, CPI(ML) chief Dipankar Bhattacharya, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD’s Lalu and Tejashwi Yadav, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge along with Rahul Gandhi shared the stage at Patna.

Rahul Gandhi’s presence was important since he had left his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to join the rally, highlighting the rally's significance for the Congress.

5. Lalu Yadav’s attack on PM Modi

The most important news to come out of the rally was Lalu Yadav's attack on Narendra Modi.

Lalu also said that PM Modi was not even a Hindu. "When your mother passed away, why did you get your head tonsured like all Hindus?," said Lalu Yadav.

The BJP seems to have turned Lalu Yadav's jibe on its head earlier today. Multiple central and state BJP leaders have added 'Modi ka Parivar' (Modi's family) to their social media profile names.

6. Tejashwi tried to change the narrative 

Lalu’s son Tejashwi Yadav criticised Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for his frequent flip-flops.

Tejashwi Yadav said that it was he (Tejashwi) who provided more than 10 lakh jobs to people of Bihar. Tejashwi also rephrased the party's acronym as 'R for Rights, J for Jobs and D for Development'.

7. Rahul targeted communalism, caste and farmers

Rahul Gandhi reiterated that he has opened a ‘mohabbat ki dukaan’ in an atmosphere full of hate. Gandhi then asked PM Modi about farm loan waivers.

Caste was also a key component of his speech as Gandhi expressed his dissatisfaction about 'inequality' in both private and government jobs. 

8. Attack on Agniveer scheme continues

Rahul Gandhi also voiced his reservations regarding the Agniveer scheme. According to Gandhi, the Agniveer scheme is inefficient as six months of training is not enough.

“Imagine the kind of soldiers we will prepare with six months of training. How we can put them up against the Chinese and Pakistani forces, who could be better trained.” said Gandhi

9. Kharge’s instructions to Tejashwi Yadav

During the rally, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was on anti-NDA spree. He termed PM Modi as 'Jhooton ka sardaar' (king of lies).

Kharge claimed that no one has benefitted from the current dispensation. He asked the public to vote to save democracy and the Constitution. In a subtle manner, Kharge also asked Tejashwi to not take Nitish Kumar back if he tries to re-establish contact.

10. Left parties sloganeering

Let party leaders repeated revolutionary slogans and themes in their appeal to oust the Modi government. CPI(ML)’s Dipankar Bhattacharya Bhattacharya used Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s line, “Singhasan khali karo, ki Janta aati hai” (vacate your throne, as the people are here).

On the other hand, Sitaram Yechury used the slogan ‘Modi hatao desh bachao’ to invoke the sentiments.