Gaya (Bihar), Oct 22 (NationPress) Bhagirath Manjhi, the offspring of the famed 'Mountain Man' Dashrath Manjhi, has expressed profound disappointment and allegations of betrayal against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after being overlooked for a party ticket in the Barachatti Assembly seat for the forthcoming Bihar elections.

In a candid interview with IANS, Bhagirath shared how his hopes surged following Rahul Gandhi's visit to their humble home in Gehlaur village, Gaya district, a few months back.

The Congress leader, accompanied by local party members, spent quality time with the family, enjoyed coconut milk, and examined the historic road his father painstakingly carved through a mountain over a span of 22 years to link their remote village to the nearest town.

"Rahul ji assured me the ticket right then. He mentioned I would compete for Barachatti," Bhagirath alleged, adding that Rahul Gandhi even encouraged him to witness the path his father had forged during a subsequent rally in Patna.

The gesture of goodwill extended further; merely eight days post-visit, artisans arrived to build a pucca house for the family, an event widely publicized by Congress as a testament to Rahul's compassion.

Initially grateful, Bhagirath now sees it as mere political theatrics.

His aspirations were crushed when the Grand Alliance, which includes Congress, RJD, and other associates, released the list of candidates sans his name, awarding Barachatti to Tanushree Manjhi instead.

In a desperate bid, Bhagirath journeyed to Delhi recently, enduring a four-day stay in the capital to secure his nomination.

"We were instructed to come to Delhi for the ticket. I waited, yet Rahul ji never met us. Everyone else who remained got theirs; we returned disheartened," he lamented. "If no ticket, why stay in Delhi? We felt thoroughly deceived."

Bhagirath, who transitioned from JD-U to Congress in June seeking the electoral mandate, reserved praise for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

He acknowledged Nitish for realizing his late father's dreams by constructing a school, hospital, and road in the village—projects that remained incomplete at Dashrath's passing in 2007.

Recollecting the promise made at his father's bedside, Bhagirath said, "Before Baba's (Bhagirath’s father) demise, Nitish ji vowed, 'I will complete your work.' He did."

This snub has intensified his frustration with the opposition. He expressed ire towards Jitan Ram Manjhi, another notable figure from the community, and lamented the absence of follow-up from Rahul's post-house construction.

"No one came to check on our situation after that."

Bhagirath underscored ongoing local issues; unemployment burdens the impoverished, with no colleges or factories available for youth.

As Bihar prepares for elections on November 6 and 11, this rift unveils tensions within the Grand Alliance, potentially alienating Dalit voters in the Scheduled Caste-reserved Barachatti.

"We trusted Rahul Gandhi because he visited our home. Now, the one who seeks votes will secure them," Bhagirath concluded defiantly. Congress has yet to respond to these allegations.

Dasharath Samadhi was constructed in memory of Dasharath Manjhi, known as the Mountain Man, who resided in Gehlaur village near Gaya, Bihar, India. He carved a path 110 meters long (360 ft), 9.1 meters (30 ft) wide, and 7.7 meters (25 ft) deep through a ridge of hills using just a hammer and chisel.

After 22 years of labor, Dashrath reduced the journey between Atri and Wazirganj blocks in Gaya city from 55 km to 15 km. This location is a popular picnic spot and attracts hundreds of tourists for its scenic beauty.