In a sharp jibe at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, former RJD leader and current Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav suggested that the national leader would have been better suited as a “rasoiya” (cook) rather than a politician. The remark came amid Gandhi’s ongoing campaign in Bihar ahead of the state’s Assembly elections, highlighting the increasingly colorful political rhetoric in the region.

Tej Pratap’s comments were prompted by Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Begusarai, where the Congress leader participated in a traditional fishing ritual with local fishermen. Gandhi had jumped into a pond and joined the community in hand-catching fish, an event aimed at connecting with local voters and highlighting grassroots engagement.

Reacting to the event, Tej Pratap told news agency PTI, “Rahul Gandhi’s job is to ride a motorcycle and spread pollution. He’ll spend his entire life fishing. The country will be plunged into darkness. Jalebi chhan’na, machli pakadna — unko toh rasoiya hona chahiye tha. Why did he become a politician?” The JJD chief mocked Gandhi’s activities, implying that his skills in making sweets and catching fish were better suited to a kitchen than the political arena.

The episode comes as part of a broader trend of political leaders using humor and satire to undermine opponents during the campaign season. Earlier, BJP MP Ravi Kishan had also taken a dig at Gandhi, ridiculing the Congress leader’s fishing adventure. Kishan quipped, “As much fish as he caught yesterday, he’ll get even fewer votes than that. Well, alright, at least his swimming style was nice. We’re over there catching votes, and he’s busy catching fish.” The remark was widely circulated on social media and further fueled discussions around Gandhi’s unconventional campaign methods.

Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Begusarai had drawn attention not only for its unusual approach but also for the symbolic attempt to connect with rural communities. Participating in the traditional fish-catching ritual, Gandhi aimed to demonstrate solidarity with local livelihoods and underscore his engagement with grassroots issues — a strategy often used by politicians in election-bound states to appeal to voters through culturally resonant gestures.

Meanwhile, Tej Pratap Yadav himself is actively campaigning in Bihar and is contesting from the Mahua Assembly constituency, where he filed his nomination on October 16. His party, Janshakti Janata Dal, announced its first batch of 22 candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections earlier in October, signaling its efforts to carve a presence in the state’s political landscape.

The remarks by Tej Pratap and Ravi Kishan come at a time when Bihar’s political atmosphere is highly charged, with multiple parties vying for voter attention ahead of the 243-seat Assembly elections. The elections are scheduled in two phases — on November 6 and November 11, with results expected on November 14.

Observers note that such exchanges, blending humor with criticism, are increasingly common in Bihar’s political campaigns, reflecting both the intensity of competition and the evolving strategies of leaders to connect with voters through local narratives and symbolism. Rahul Gandhi’s unconventional fishing stunt, Tej Pratap’s barbs, and Kishan’s jabs collectively underscore the vibrant and often theatrical nature of Bihar’s electioneering this year.

As the state heads toward polling day, these episodes highlight how personal anecdotes, symbolic acts, and witty political commentary are shaping the discourse, influencing both voter perception and media coverage in the run-up to the elections.