Was ‘90 pc Congress, 10 pc RJD’ the Reality of Voter Adhikar Yatra Crowd?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 90% of attendees at the Voter Adhikar Yatra were Congress supporters.
- The Yatra has renewed public confidence in Congress.
- RJD's presence was reportedly less than 10%.
- Rahul Gandhi's outreach focuses on key issues impacting the common man.
- Seat-sharing discussions prioritize quality representation over quantity.
New Delhi, Sep 2 (NationPress) Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav has stated that the recently completed Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar was largely dominated by Congress supporters, asserting that 90 percent of the attendees were Congress members and advocates of Rahul Gandhi, while participation from the allied Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other groups was less than 10 percent.
In an interview with IANS on Tuesday in Delhi, Yadav remarked that the Yatra has rejuvenated the confidence of the common people in Congress in Bihar. “The influence of Rahul Gandhi on the populace is significant. The concluding rally in Patna on September 1 showcased that the Yatra was predominantly a Congress event. While leaders like Hemant Soren, Sanjay Raut, and representatives of Mamata Banerjee participated, the crowd primarily rallied behind Rahul Gandhi,” he noted.
When asked if Congress was regaining its footing through the Yatra, Yadav expressed that Rahul Gandhi has inspired the underprivileged and conveyed that vote manipulation would not be tolerated. He emphasized the need for Congress workers to be self-reliant rather than depending on others, a reference to the RJD.
He highlighted that the Yatra, which traversed 29 districts, marked Rahul Gandhi’s fourth significant outreach initiative. “From Chandrashekhar to Gandhi, these yatras have fortified democracy. Yet, Rahul Gandhi has walked thousands of kilometers addressing core issues—ranging from demonetization, GST, caste surveys, to voter rights. Even Nitin Gadkari acknowledged that his family's votes were removed. This Yatra was for the everyday citizen, enhancing trust in Rahul Gandhi,” Yadav stated.
Regarding his relationship with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, he clarified: “There is no enmity. We hold Tejashwi ji in respect. While there are differing viewpoints, the Mahagathbandhan remains united. Nevertheless, this Yatra was distinctly Rahul Gandhi’s.”
He dismissed claims that he was marginalized during the rally. “This is unfounded. Throughout the 17-day Yatra, we were together. At the rally, Congress took the lead role, while RJD’s attendance was minimal, under 10 percent,” Yadav asserted.
On the topic of seat-sharing, he mentioned that numbers are secondary. “Congress is not pursuing 60-70 seats. What truly matters are quality seats that represent minorities, EBCs, SCs, and upper castes. For Congress, earning respect within the alliance is essential, not mere bargaining.”