KKN Gurugram Desk | In a politically significant move ahead of upcoming elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit Bihar on May 15, 2025, with a dual agenda: cultural engagement and political mobilization. The former Congress president is scheduled to attend a special screening of the film ‘Phule’ in Patna, followed by a public rally in Darbhanga, where he will address the masses directly.

This visit is seen as part of the Congress party’s broader strategy to reconnect with Dalit voters, boost its grassroots presence, and reassert relevance in a politically competitive state.

Patna Event: Rahul Gandhi to Watch ‘Phule’ With Dalit Leaders and Civil Society

The highlight of Rahul Gandhi’s Patna schedule is his planned attendance at a special screening of the biographical film ‘Phule’, based on the life and vision of Jyotirao Phule, a 19th-century Dalit reformer and social activist who championed education and equality.

The screening will take place in a local Patna theater, and the event is expected to be attended by:

• Civil society members

• Dalit intellectuals and community leaders

• Grassroots workers from Bihar Congress’ Dalit wing

Strategic Context:

• This move is being interpreted as a symbolic outreach to Bihar’s Dalit population.

• The Congress is attempting to revive its historical association with social justice movements.

• It follows the party’s recent appointment of Rajesh Ram, a prominent Dalit leader, as the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president, signaling a renewed focus on caste-based mobilization.

Rahul Gandhi’s Dalit Outreach: Why the ‘Phule’ Screening Matters

The decision to screen a film on Jyotirao Phule is not just a cultural move—it carries strong political symbolism:

• Phule is seen as a pioneer of Dalit and backward caste empowerment.

• His advocacy for universal education, women’s rights, and anti-caste ideology resonates deeply with marginalized communities in Bihar.

• By aligning himself with Phule’s legacy, Rahul Gandhi is attempting to build ideological resonance with voters who have gradually drifted towards other political formations, especially the RJD and BSP.

This approach mirrors the Congress’s pan-India strategy of reinventing its social justice plank, a key aspect of its ideological rejuvenation post-2024 general elections.

Darbhanga Public Rally: A Platform for Direct Voter Engagement

After the cultural engagement in Patna, Rahul Gandhi will travel to Darbhanga, a key district in north Bihar, to hold a public rally aimed at:

• Addressing local development concerns

• Sharing Congress’ election manifesto and vision

• Mobilizing party workers and supporters

This will be Rahul Gandhi’s first public meeting in Bihar since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and it is expected to attract thousands of supporters from across Mithilanchal and neighboring districts.

Key Themes Expected in Speech:

• Economic issues: Unemployment, inflation, farmer distress

• Education and healthcare infrastructure in Bihar

• Caste and social equity

• The future vision of the Congress in a post-NDA political landscape

The rally is seen as a relaunch pad for Congress’s state unit, which is aiming for a comeback in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections.

Congress’ Political Strategy in Bihar: Rebuilding a Lost Base

The Congress, once a dominant political force in Bihar, has seen its electoral base shrink significantly over the last two decades. However, with shifting alliances and voter sentiment in flux post-2024, the party is sensing a new political opening.

Key Moves by Congress:

• Appointment of Rajesh Ram as BPCC chief — a calculated move to consolidate Dalit votes

• Increased focus on grassroots organizational building

• Youth-focused digital campaigns led by the Indian Youth Congress

• Revival of Congress Seva Dal activities in rural belts

Rahul Gandhi’s visit is expected to energize the party cadre, especially in north and central Bihar, where Congress has maintained pockets of influence.

Bihar: Why It Matters in National Politics

Bihar, with its 40 Lok Sabha seats and rich political history, remains a crucial state in national politics. The rise of regional parties like RJD, JD(U), and LJP, and the steady decline of national parties like Congress in the state, has created a vacuum and an identity crisis for the Grand Old Party.

However, the 2025 assembly elections are being seen as a turning point, where Congress could:

• Play kingmaker in a hung assembly scenario

• Form key alliances with RJD and Left parties under a unified INDIA bloc

• Regain marginalized voter groups, especially Dalits, Muslims, and youth

Rahul Gandhi’s visit is the beginning of that political groundwork.

‘Bharat Jodo’ Legacy Continues

Rahul Gandhi’s Bihar visit is also viewed as a continuation of his “Bharat Jodo” campaign ethos. The campaign, launched post-2022, was about:

• Fighting hatred with harmony

• Promoting inclusive development

• Uniting Indians across caste, class, and religious lines

By attending a film screening that honors Jyotirao Phule, a revolutionary against social hierarchy, and directly engaging with Bihar’s masses, Rahul Gandhi is reaffirming his inclusive political narrative.

Security and Political Preparations in Bihar

Given the political significance of Rahul Gandhi’s visit, the state Congress unit, led by Rajesh Ram, has made extensive logistical and security arrangements:

• Congress workers across Bihar have been mobilized for the Darbhanga rally.

• Multiple buses from nearby districts will transport supporters to the rally ground.

• Local police and special protection units have been deployed to ensure smooth execution of events in Patna and Darbhanga.

Public Expectations and Reactions

The announcement of Rahul Gandhi’s visit has created a buzz among Congress loyalists and Dalit social organizations across Bihar. Many see this as:

• An acknowledgment of Dalit contribution to the freedom and social movements

• A chance to hear a national leader speak directly to regional issues

• An opportunity for the Congress to revive its ideological base

However, political opponents are likely to view the event as symbolic but lacking substance, raising questions about Congress’s on-ground organizational strength in Bihar.

Rahul Gandhi’s visit on May 15, 2025, comes at a time when Congress is seeking a comeback not just in Bihar, but across multiple states ahead of the next general elections. With a combination of symbolic gestures like the ‘Phule’ screening and mass outreach via rallies, the party is attempting to rebuild trust, mobilize the grassroots, and redefine its role in coalition politics.