Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of disrespecting traditional religious practices while engaging in political commentary. Speaking at an election rally in Samastipur, Bihar, the CM criticised Gandhi for questioning aspects of Chhath Puja, drawing parallels with the Congress party’s previous criticisms of Lord Ram and the construction of the Ram Temple.

Addressing the crowd, Yogi said, “Under PM Modi’s leadership, there is visible development in Bihar. But the RJD and Congress do not prioritise the development of the state. Just as the Congress questioned Lord Ram and the Ram Temple, its ‘yuvraj’ [prince] is now raising questions on Chhath Maiya, which is deeply revered in Bihar.”

The remark comes in response to Rahul Gandhi’s recent statement in Darbhanga, where he alleged that the BJP staged a “drama” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Chhath Puja. Gandhi claimed that the water in the Yamuna River was too polluted for the ritual, and suggested that a separate pond with clean water had been created specifically for the Prime Minister to perform the ritual safely. Gandhi said, “PM Modi said that he will bathe in the Yamuna for Chhath. The Yamuna has dirty water. If someone drank it, they would either get sick or die. No one can go inside. The water is so dirty that if you enter it, you would get sick or get an infection. But Modi staged a drama. He built a small pond there. They will show you anything for elections. A pipe is installed from behind. Clean water is poured into it. The problem arose that someone took a photo of the pipe.”

Yogi Adityanath’s comments came amid the Bihar Assembly elections, where political rhetoric has intensified, and cultural symbolism has become a focal point of campaigning. The state will witness a two-phase voting process on November 6 and 11, with results scheduled to be declared on November 14. The elections are expected to be closely contested between two major alliances: the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).

The NDA in Bihar comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. The Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), includes the Congress Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) [CPI-ML]led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM], and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Additionally, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has staked claims to all 243 seats in the state, making the election highly competitive.

The Chhath Puja issue, highlighted by Gandhi and countered by Yogi Adityanath, is emblematic of a broader strategy in Bihar’s elections, where religious and cultural symbolism is being used to galvanise voter bases. Chhath Puja, one of the most revered festivals in Bihar, is dedicated to Chhath Maiya, the Sun Goddess, and involves devotees offering prayers while standing in water bodies such as rivers or ponds. It holds immense cultural and spiritual significance in the state, and political leaders often seek to connect with voters by participating in or commenting on its rituals.

Yogi’s remarks also seek to draw a contrast between what he portrays as the BJP’s respect for tradition and development-oriented governance versus the opposition’s perceived attempts to politicise religious sentiments. By linking Rahul Gandhi’s comments on Chhath Puja to the Congress party’s past criticisms of Lord Ram and the Ram Temple, Yogi reinforced a narrative that positions the BJP as a protector of India’s religious traditions, while portraying the opposition as disrespectful toward culturally significant practices.

Political analysts note that such statements often serve a dual purpose in election campaigns. Firstly, they energise the core voter base by invoking cultural pride and religious identity. Secondly, they frame the opposition as being dismissive of local traditions, which can influence undecided voters who are sensitive to cultural issues. In Bihar, where caste, religion, and community play crucial roles in voting behaviour, debates around festivals like Chhath Puja can carry significant electoral weight.

The exchange between Yogi Adityanath and Rahul Gandhi also reflects the increasingly personalised nature of political discourse in Bihar. By directly referencing Gandhi as the Congress ‘yuvraj’, Yogi sought to underline generational continuity in the Congress leadership while simultaneously casting doubt on Gandhi’s respect for local customs. This tactic is consistent with BJP strategies elsewhere, where opposition leaders’ statements on sensitive cultural or religious matters are amplified to gain political mileage.

Rahul Gandhi’s comments about the alleged “drama” during PM Modi’s Chhath Puja visit were widely circulated in media outlets and on social media, attracting attention across Bihar and other regions. The remarks created an opportunity for the BJP to reinforce its narrative about Modi’s attention to traditional values, cleanliness initiatives, and public engagement during religious events. BJP campaigners in Bihar have reportedly used the Chhath Puja episode to highlight the party’s involvement in infrastructure development, including improving local ponds, riverbanks, and sanitation, thereby blending cultural symbolism with governance messaging.

The broader context of Bihar’s elections is shaped by ongoing competition between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan over governance records, development promises, and social welfare initiatives. The NDA has emphasised infrastructure development, law and order, and investment in local economies, while the Mahagathbandhan focuses on social justice, minority representation, and populist welfare schemes. Cultural issues, like the Chhath Puja debate, add another layer of complexity, often influencing voters beyond purely developmental considerations.

Bihar’s political landscape is further complicated by the presence of smaller parties and independent candidates, such as Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj, which have the potential to disrupt traditional vote shares. In such a scenario, statements about religious and cultural practices can be strategically employed to consolidate support among specific voter communities, particularly in regions where festivals like Chhath Puja have high visibility and participation.

As voting approaches, campaign rhetoric around festivals, development, and leadership continues to intensify. The interplay between cultural symbolism and political strategy, exemplified by the exchange between Yogi Adityanath and Rahul Gandhi, reflects broader trends in Indian electoral politics, where identity, tradition, and governance narratives intersect. Observers note that while such debates are designed to resonate emotionally with voters, they also shape public perceptions of leadership, credibility, and respect for local traditions.

In conclusion, Yogi Adityanath’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi over Chhath Puja underscores the high stakes of Bihar’s assembly elections and highlights the strategic use of religious and cultural discourse in electoral politics. By drawing comparisons with the Congress party’s historical positions on Lord Ram and the Ram Temple, Yogi sought to position the BJP as both a guardian of tradition and a development-oriented force, while portraying the opposition as disrespectful to culturally significant practices. With the first phase of voting scheduled for November 6 and the second phase on November 11, political attention in Bihar remains sharply focused on voter mobilization, alliances, and the impact of campaign messaging on diverse communities. The results of the election, to be declared on November 14, will determine not only the future governance of Bihar but also the effectiveness of strategies that intertwine culture, religion, and politics in shaping voter behaviour.