Bihar’s political discourse heated up after Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi made remarks at a campaign rally in Darbhanga, suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could go to any lengths for votes, including staging a “drama” during Chhath Puja and performing a “dance” if required. Gandhi’s comments, which alleged that Modi had a special pond built for the ritual to avoid bathing in the polluted Yamuna, immediately drew sharp responses from BJP leaders and intensified the state’s pre-election rhetoric.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who is actively campaigning in Bihar, called Gandhi’s remarks a reflection of “political bankruptcy” and an indication that the Congress has no clear agenda for the state. She accused the Mahagathbandhan leaders of resorting to personal attacks for cheap popularity. “These leaders are all like thieves, who can do anything, insult anyone, just for votes. But Biharis understand this. Biharis may be innocent, but they are not foolish,” Gupta said in a post on social media. She further criticized Gandhi for what she termed “political immaturity,” adding that he had insulted the faith of millions of Chhath devotees.

Gandhi’s original comments centered on the Chhath Puja ritual in Delhi. He claimed that the Prime Minister staged a “drama” by using a small pond with clean water piped in, instead of bathing directly in the Yamuna, whose polluted water could have been harmful. Gandhi alleged, “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. But Modi staged a drama. They built a small pond. A pipe was installed from behind. Clean water is poured into it. The problem arose that someone took a photo of the pipe.” These remarks, though based on unverified claims originating from earlier allegations by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), sparked a political backlash.

In response, Delhi CM Gupta highlighted the transformation of Yamuna ghats under Modi’s leadership, stating, “Where devotees were once forced to worship amidst foam and filth, today those same ghats are replete with cleanliness, facilities, and beauty. This sensitivity is the culture of the BJP.” She presented Modi’s efforts as evidence of the government’s commitment to public welfare and cultural sensitivity.

Union minister Giriraj Singh, a senior BJP leader from Bihar, also took a dig at Gandhi, referencing the “habit of dancing” in the Gandhi family, in an apparent retort to his remarks about Modi performing for votes. Another senior central minister and Bihar election in-charge, Dharmendra Pradhan, described Gandhi’s comments as an outcome of fear of losing the assembly elections. “For the last two decades, the people of Bihar have been voting against their (RJD & Congress) jungle raj. They have repeatedly trampled the aspirations of Bihar’s youth,” Pradhan said, emphasizing the BJP’s claim that the electorate favors governance and development over what he described as political theatrics.

Pradhan also invoked a previous instance in which Congress allegedly insulted PM Modi’s mother at a Mahagathbandhan rally, further questioning Gandhi’s credibility to comment on the Prime Minister. He dismissed Gandhi’s criticism of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had been described by Gandhi as a “face” with the “remote control” in the hands of the BJP, saying, “Who is Rahul Gandhi to make statements on Nitish Kumar? The people of Bihar will teach a lesson to those who try to mislead them. No one is taking Tejashwi (Yadav) seriously.”

The exchange highlights the intensifying rhetoric in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections, with BJP leaders portraying Gandhi’s statements as not only offensive to religious sentiment but also indicative of Congress’s broader political shortcomings. BJP’s narrative emphasizes governance, development, and cultural respect, contrasting it with what they describe as Congress and Mahagathbandhan’s reliance on personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations.

The Chhath Puja controversy, involving Gandhi’s allegations about the staging of Modi’s ritual, has become a focal point in the campaign discourse, reflecting the intersection of political strategy and cultural symbolism in Indian elections. BJP leaders argue that the Prime Minister’s efforts to improve infrastructure at the Yamuna ghats demonstrate a commitment to public welfare rather than opportunistic theatrics, countering Gandhi’s claims of staged performances for political gain.

As political tensions rise, both parties continue to frame the debate in terms of credibility, faith, and governance. While Gandhi’s comments sought to highlight what he perceives as performative politics, BJP leaders have leveraged the controversy to underscore their narrative of development, accountability, and respect for cultural practices. The clash exemplifies the broader pattern of pre-election rhetoric in India, where cultural events and political messaging intersect to influence public perception and voter sentiment.

In the coming weeks, Bihar’s election campaign is expected to witness further exchanges between Congress and BJP leaders on governance, development, and cultural symbolism, with the Chhath Puja debate serving as a recent flashpoint. Both parties appear intent on consolidating support among voters by appealing to cultural sensibilities, religious faith, and political credibility.

In summary, Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about PM Modi allegedly performing “pond drama” during Chhath Puja have triggered a strong BJP response, with leaders emphasizing political maturity, development achievements, and respect for religious practices. The dispute underscores the growing importance of cultural symbolism in political campaigns and the sharp rhetorical strategies employed by parties in the run-up to Bihar’s assembly elections.