Why Were Pappu Yadav and Kanhaiya Kumar Denied Access to Rahul-Tejashwi’s Chariot During Bihar Bandh?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Significant divisions within the opposition alliance were exposed during the Bihar Bandh.
- The protest against the voter list revision highlights underlying tensions among key leaders.
- Pappu Yadav and Kanhaiya Kumar's exclusion raises questions about leadership dynamics.
- The Bihar Bandh reflects public sentiment against perceived electoral injustices.
- Upcoming elections could be impacted by these internal conflicts.
Patna, July 9 (NationPress) The 'Bihar Bandh' organized by the Mahagathbandhan on Wednesday to protest the Election Commission's special voter list revision revealed significant divisions within the opposition coalition. Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav spearheaded the protest in Patna, while Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan, known as Pappu Yadav, along with Congress youth leader Kanhaiya Kumar, was prevented from boarding Rahul Gandhi's vehicle and was pushed aside by security forces.
Rahul Gandhi arrived in Patna from Delhi and took part in the Chakka Jam protest for just two hours before heading back to Delhi.
The incident became contentious when Pappu Yadav, who had merged his Jan Adhikar Party with Congress prior to the Lok Sabha elections, was obstructed by security personnel from joining Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav on the protest vehicle.
Waving the Congress flag and attempting to align with the leadership, Pappu Yadav was physically pushed away amidst the crowd.
A similar fate befell Kanhaiya Kumar, who also faced denial of entry onto the chariot.
Political analysts note the irony in Pappu Yadav being the first to announce a Chakka Jam against the voter list revision, which was later overshadowed by Congress and RJD's full Bihar Bandh.
Despite merging his party with Congress and seeking a ticket from Purnea, Pappu Yadav was ultimately denied a ticket, with RJD opting for Bima Bharti instead.
Pappu Yadav ran as an independent, defeating Bharti, while the Congress leadership remained silent throughout the conflict.
The events of Wednesday highlight the fragile dynamics within the INDIA bloc, especially the tensions between Tejashwi Yadav and Pappu Yadav, alongside Congress's hesitance to include Pappu Yadav and Kanhaiya Kumar in leadership roles, despite their support at the grassroots level.
The Bihar Bandh, initiated to protest the alleged plot to remove poor voters' names under the pretext of voter list revision, resulted in significant traffic disruptions in Patna, while also revealing internal power struggles as elections loom in the state.