In a politically charged move, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the 'Palayan Roko, Naukri Do' padyatra in Bihar’s Begusarai on Monday, underlining the party's concern over youth migration and unemployment. The march, which lasted only about 30 minutes and covered around 2 km, sparked immediate political reactions and intense debate, especially from ruling parties JD(U) and BJP.

Congress Targets Migration and Unemployment with Padyatra

The padyatra was led by NSUI national in-charge Kanhaiya Kumar, a prominent face from Begusarai, along with Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram and AICC state in-charge Krishna Allavaru. Rahul Gandhi’s symbolic participation was aimed at highlighting the issue of youth exodus from Bihar due to lack of job opportunities.

Wearing a simple white T-shirt and walking amid supporters, Rahul Gandhi’s presence was meant to send a message of solidarity with the state’s struggling youth and rally Congress workers around a new leadership troika.

JD(U) Labels the March as “Eyewash” and Politically Motivated

However, the gesture didn’t go unanswered. JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, also known as Lalan Singh, slammed the initiative, calling it an "eyewash" designed to mislead people.

“The padyatra of Rahul Gandhi on the issue of migration continued only for 30 minutes, Rahul Gandhi walked for only 2 km and the yatra finished,” said Prasad, questioning the sincerity of the effort.

He further accused the Congress of lacking moral ground on employment issues, pointing to Congress and its ally RJD’s previous regimes where large-scale migration occurred due to poor governance and safety concerns. He alleged that during those years, "bahubalis" (strongmen) and extremist forces had created chaos, leading to forced migration for survival.

Prasad emphasised that Bihar has moved past those times, especially under the current Nitish Kumar-led government, citing new job opportunities and better law and order.

BJP Adds to the Criticism: “White T-shirt Movement” Mocked

Joining in, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain mocked Rahul Gandhi’s attire, suggesting he start a "white T-shirt movement" instead to stop migration.

“Congress has itself migrated from Bihar,” said Hussain, accusing the party of abandoning the state politically over the years.

He pointed out that Congress had enabled Lalu Yadav’s jungle raj, holding it partly responsible for the 15 years of alleged misrule by RJD, which forced lakhs to leave the state for basic livelihood.

Congress Looks to Rebuild in Bihar with Fresh Leadership

Despite criticism, the Congress seems determined to rebuild its base in Bihar. With Kanhaiya Kumar as a local youth icon, Krishna Allavaru as the AICC Bihar in-charge, and Rajesh Ram as the new state president, the party appears to be betting on youthful leadership to revive its standing.

The padyatra is being seen not just as a protest against the issue of migration but also a strategic move to energise the Congress cadre and counter the NDA’s dominance in the state.

However, the limited participation and short span of the march provided enough ammunition for rival parties to dismiss the move as a mere political stunt.

Migration and Unemployment: Old Issues with New Optics

Migration has long plagued Bihar. Lack of industrial development, poor job creation, and insufficient infrastructure have led to lakhs of Biharis leaving the state for jobs in metros and other states. Although recent governments, particularly under Nitish Kumar, claim to have tackled the issue with development schemes and job reservations, the numbers still show a concerning trend.

By launching the 'Palayan Roko, Naukri Do' campaign, the Congress is trying to bring the focus back on core livelihood issues, banking on public frustration and emerging dissatisfaction among youth.

But critics argue that the Congress had ample time and multiple opportunities to solve the issue during its long rule both at the Centre and in Bihar, and its alignment with RJD in the past taints its credibility.

Will the Yatra Impact the Political Landscape in Bihar?

While it is too early to judge the electoral impact, it is clear that Rahul Gandhi’s presence, though brief, has triggered significant political chatter. For the Congress, the padyatra is an attempt to reclaim lost ground. For the JD(U) and BJP, it is an opportunity to remind voters of Congress’ past failures.

The real test lies ahead: whether the Congress can convert this symbolic march into a broader public movement and win back the trust of Bihar’s youth, or if it remains a short-lived PR event in the run-up to elections.

The coming months will reveal whether Rahul Gandhi and his team can effectively tap into the public mood and build a stronger narrative, or if their efforts will be overshadowed by political counterattacks and voter scepticism.

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