Darbhanga: The date is August 26, the tenth day of the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ spearheaded by Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and Bihar leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav in Bihar. According to the itinerary, the grand alliance or ‘mahagathbandhan’ convoy is scheduled to arrive in Darbhanga at 3:30 pm, entering from the Raje Toll Plaza situated on National Highway 27 in Manigachhi.A throng of children, elderly individuals and youth, all eager to catch a glimpse of Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, began assembling along the highway at 2 pm under the scorching sun. The presence of women is noticeably sparse. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that today marks the festival of Chaurchand, which married women in Mithila observe by fasting.Workers from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and the Congress chant the slogan ‘Vote chor–gaddi chhod’ (‘vote thief, give up the throne’), while some senior members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation (CPI(ML)) are also stationed here like sentinels.The array of party flags and banners is visible from a considerable distance, yet Mukesh Sahani’s VIP, in its distinct camp, appears to be learning from the other parties in the alliance about crowd mobilisation and slogan-chanting.Probed about the VIP having its own camp, party workers say, “Everyone is united and our goal is to protect democracy. Voting is our right and we will not let anyone snatch it…”However, when The Wire sought to understand the narrative surrounding this distinct camp, we are told that in light of Sahani’s ‘claim and demand’ for the position of deputy chief minister, it ought to be interpreted as ‘pressure politics’.If one is to take the public’s word for it, Sahani’s message is unequivocal, and in some manner, he aims to convey to the RJD specifically through this ‘show of strength’ that he not only demands an increased number of seats (with discussions revolving around 60 seats), but also aspires for a more substantial role in governance as deputy chief minister.Amidst this unseen tension at the Raje Toll Plaza, aside from the internal divisions among the factions of the Mahagathbandhan, the most striking observation is that the RJD has struggled to mobilise the masses of this stronghold for the Voter Adhikar Yatra in significant numbers, while the VIP is demonstrating a facade of unity contrary to expectations.Supporters of the Vikassheel Insaan Party at the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Darbhanga.However, it will become evident in the forthcoming days what type of turmoil is expected to occur among the Mahagathbandhan parties concerning its chief ministerial candidate, the deputy chief minister’s aspirations and the distribution of seats prior to the elections.In addition to party members, certain individuals converse among themselves in Maithili, stating, ‘Modi has but one remaining strategy – offer rations and keep the populace in subjugation. He has led the nation to the edge of ruin. They are removing our names from the electoral roll, who knows what’s coming next.’They further add: ‘If the people continue to barter their rights for bags of subsidies, it is inevitable that they will forfeit both their dignity and their future in this nation. The ‘ration system’ will replace democracy.’Amidst ongoing discussions, Arun Das, who joined Gandhi’s yatra, states in response to a query from The Wire: “The masses are distressed, which is why the yatra is experiencing such success. Just look at the level of crime in Bihar and the state of inflation. The gas cylinder remains empty in households.”Indeed, while those attending this yatra are discussing a potential change in government in Bihar, they are also sharing stories about the Election Commission’s special intensive revision (SIR) and the various rights that have been denied to the people.Viewed in this light, this Voter Adhikar Yatra has undoubtedly compelled individuals to reconsider their perspectives on the politics of both the country and the state, extending beyond mere voting rights. The turnout here serves as evidence that Gandhi’s message has resonated in every household across Bihar.Consequently, perhaps the street politics of the opposition parties, which has arisen in response to the irregularities in the SIR, has found a place in the hearts of the people.Currently, it is almost 6:21 pm at the Raje Toll Plaza, and the activity has suddenly intensified as Gandhi and Yadav arrive amidst slogans that resonate through the air. Vadra has yet to make her appearance.The youth eagerly rush to greet their cherished leader, filled with joy as they manage to capture a photograph on their smartphones.The vehicle progresses slowly, with Gandhi and Yadav waving in their customary manner. Pappu Yadav’s vehicle is clearly visible just behind, and the youth are hurrying towards him with equal fervour. The entire toll plaza reverberates with slogans: ‘Vote chor, gaddi chhod…’File image of Rahul Gandhi at the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’. Photo: All India Congress Committee via PTI.The convoy continues onward, with Sakri as its next destination. Upon exiting the toll plaza, one feels as though they have entered a Congress bastion, surrounded by large hoardings and impressive cutouts of Gandhi, Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, looking as if they are striving to reach the heavens.From this point onward, it appears that this yatra has transformed into a rally solely for the Congress and Gandhi.Women are also significantly represented here, despite it already being evening.Numerous bulldozers, which have come to symbolise the politics of animosity, can be seen from afar, heading towards Sakri, where flowers are being showered upon the leaders. The once black roads have now taken on a yellow hue.In fact, as the procession progresses towards Sakri, a thematic display is evident on both sides of the road, featuring the grand cut-out of Kharge alongside those of Gandhi and Vadra. Here, it seems there is an effort to convey that the Congress is not only revitalised within its long-standing stronghold, but that its youthful members are also prepared to take to the streets.Upon inquiring with individuals about this, it became apparent that Gandhi’s yatra could serve as a ‘sanjeevani booti’ (healing salve) for the Congress in Bihar. The people have begun to comprehend his political stance and are recognising him as their leader.Undoubtedly, in recent times, the perception of the Congress among the people of Bihar has been shifting, and the engagement of both new and seasoned workers is a positive sign for the party in numerous respects.Before the vast assembly gathered in Sakri, Yadav, CPI (ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Vadra, Gandhi and other leaders deliver their speeches.While Gandhi critiques the BJP’s claim of being in power for 50 years and accuses them of ‘vote theft’, he also engages with the public on matters such as a caste census and reservation.Meanwhile, Vadra encourages the crowd to chant ‘vote chor-gaddi chhod’. She asserts, “Your vote is your identity, the foundation of your citizenship; if you permit vote theft, you will lose your identity, all your rights will be stripped away and your citizenship will be revoked.”The public echoes Vadra’s statements with their slogans interspersed. She remarks, “Narendra Modi claimed during the Lok Sabha elections that the Congress would steal your buffalo. However, they are the ones who are actually stealing your votes.”In this gathering in Sakri, at various locations, some young individuals brandishing posters of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) are seen advocating for the party’s inclusion in the Mahagathbandhan so that they can contest the election collectively. These youths have also attempted to express their dissent in front of Gandhi and Vadra.A poster reads: ‘Those fighting the election separately from the AIMIM, fasten your seat belts, the election is about to be lost/spoiled’.In this context, the party’s national spokesperson Adil Hasan Azad, speaking to The Wire via phone, says, “Wherever Rahul ji travels during his tour in Bihar, AIMIM supporters and the public are conveying this message to him. This is their own choice. This reflects the public’s desire; they wish for the AIMIM to be part of the alliance. If we can collaborate with the Congress in Telangana, then, given our significant population in Bihar, why is our party being sidelined? We stand with you on every matter, so why is there such negativity directed towards us?”Azad further says, “We have made efforts on our part and have sent letters to everyone. However, I believe the RJD is not inclined to include us in the alliance … The RJD appears unwilling to allocate a share to Muslims and Seemanchal. We did not impose any conditions, yet you chose to align with those who were associated with the BJP, while the AIMIM has consistently opposed the BJP; so why are we being excluded to such an extent?”He urges, “Even now, our request to the Congress-RJD is to contest the elections together. What can be said if there is no willingness to learn from past experiences? If we compete separately, victory will elude you. Not collaborating implies that you wish to aid the BJP. If the Mahagathbandhan aligns with us, the BJP will not have a foothold in Mithila-Seemanchal.”Echoing similar sentiments, the state president of the party, Akhtarul Iman, states, “We have informed all the constituent parties that secular votes must not be allowed to disperse, and that our party should be part of the coalition.“However, these individuals did not take our proposal seriously. Currently, the party’s supporters are voicing their discontent. We stood by them ideologically for five years, during which they severed ties with four of our MLAs; yet we continued to support them. Even now, with a heavy heart, we assert that an alliance is necessary to ensure that secularism remains strong in Bihar.“We have made our efforts, and now people are protesting during the yatra, so these individuals should read the writing on the wall themselves.”In this context, a significant question arises: is the opposition making a mistake by excluding the AIMIM from the Mahagathbandhan?While a definitive answer to this question cannot be provided at this time, it is believed that in addition to Seemanchal, the party’s presence has significantly increased in the Mithila region as well. This could influence election outcomes.Regardless, during the 19-20 km journey from the Raje Toll Plaza to Jeevach Ghat, the gathering of people and their curiosity are remarkable, revealing various facets of the state’s political landscape during this brief trip.A renewed vigour is visible in the Congress, and there have been discussions suggesting that the party should endeavour to reclaim its former stronghold in Bihar.As the yatra approaches its final stages, the caravan continues to engage with the crowd gathered along the roadside in Adalpur and Muria. The sight of flower petals raining from the bulldozer just before the conclusion of the yatra at around 8:30 pm contrasts the prevalent politics of hatred. Here, even the tar roads are not black.Translated from the Hindi original by Naushin Rahman. All photos by Faiyaz Ahmed Wajeeh unless otherwise indicated.As the election process comes under scrutiny, read The Wire’s coverage of the Bihar SIR, opposition’s allegations and more, here