West Bengal,Sep.01,2025:The Voter Adhikar Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, began on August 17 from Rohtas and concluded on September 1 in Patna, covering nearly 1,300 km across Bihar over 15 days. It aimed to highlight allegations of “vote theft” and challenge the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Leaders from alliances—RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, CPI(ML)’s Dipankar Bhattacharya, SP’s Akhilesh Yadav, and Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin—participated along the way, underscoring its cross-regional support.
Representatives in Place of the Leader
Though Mamata Banerjee and her son Abhishek Banerjee did not personally attend, two TMC leaders—Yusuf Pathan and Lalitesh Tripathi—were dispatched to join the concluding march in Patna. They arrived as party representatives with explicit direction from the TMC leadership. This move ensured TMC’s presence, even in absence of its top leadership.
Political Strategy and Identity Preservation
Senior journalist Samir K Purkayasta explains that Mamata deliberately maintained her distance to avoid being overshadowed by Rahul Gandhi in a major national campaign.
“In Bengal, TMC and Congress are direct competitors. She doesn’t want to appear too close to Congress and dilute her unique political identity.”
By keeping the distance, she safeguards TMC’s distinct narrative and voter base, especially ahead of critical state polls.
Avoiding Political Backlash in Bengal
Ahead of West Bengal’s assembly elections in 2026, Mamata faces mounting anti-incumbency. Associating closely with Rahul Gandhi’s campaign—especially one built around vote fraud narratives—could risk backlash if Bihar’s opposition campaign fails. Political strategist Rashid Kidwai notes:
“If the INDIA bloc loses in Bihar, shared political ventures could tie her to the debacle.”
Her absence allows for political insulation.
Internal Alliance Dynamics and Rivalries
Internal tension within INDIA alliance is another layer. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s public rebuke—suggesting Mamata avoided the yatra to avoid comparison with Rahul—highlights friction within the alliance. Similar cracks are visible in poster controversies in East Champaran between Congress and RJD activists.
Maintaining distance preserves flexibility for future negotiations.
Electoral Calculus Ahead of Bengal Elections
As West Bengal gears up for its polls, Mamata must hedge her bets. Nandiputra’s absence signals a focus on state-specific priorities like “will not let anyone take away voting rights in Bengal,” which she proclaimed in mid-August, reinforcing her local commitment. A presence in Bihar risks aligning her with external narratives, distracting from Bengal’s localized messaging.
Messaging and Voter Base Priorities
Mamata’s calculus is clear: her core support among Bengali Muslim and rural voters must be protected from potential fallout of contested nationwide campaigns. Reports suggest B’l Bengal has witnessed absence of clear coordination with Congress on national blocs, reinforcing her choice to preserve TMC’s distinct voice.
The SIR Controversy and Opposition Mobilisation
The backdrop to the yatra is the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar. The opposition alleges SIR is disenfranchising millions, particularly migrants, minorities and the poor. The Supreme Court has intervened, ordering ECI to disclose deletion details of over 6.5 million names.
Rahul Gandhi dramatized this with a “Vote chori se azaadi” campaign and protests across Bihar. While others rallied publicly, Mamata stayed silent on the ground—using proxy representation to register dissent without direct confrontation.
Implications for INDIA Bloc Cohesion
Mamata’s absence—strategic yet symbolic—reflects deeper fault lines within the INDIA alliance. While some unity exists, diverse regional priorities and ambitions persist. Observers note that public appearances are less important than managing electoral optics, cohesion in results, and safeguarding individual positions.
The yatra succeeded in boosting Congress’s rural visibility after decades. Yet, the absence of key partners like TMC raises questions on long-term alliance durability, especially when political narratives diverge.
Political Calculus Beyond Headlines
Ultimately, Mamata shuns Voter Rights yatra isn’t mere political snub—it’s a calculated decision balancing alliance optics, electoral positioning, and regional strategy.
By dispatching representatives instead of attending personally, Mamata delivered a symbolic yet shrewd message: she supports democratic rights, but not at the cost of compromising TMC’s distinct identity and future in Bengal.
