Union Minister Nityanand Rai on Sunday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of deceiving RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, asserting that Gandhi has “no intention” of supporting Yadav as Chief Minister of Bihar. Rai made the statement while addressing a public rally in West Champaran on August 25.

Rai alleged that Gandhi’s ongoing “Voter Adhikar Yatra” in the state has not helped the opposition alliance but rather strengthened the position of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He claimed that people of Bihar have “rejected both Congress and RJD” and that Gandhi’s campaign is being viewed as a political gimmick.

The Union Minister also defended the Election Commission’s recent special voter list revision in Bihar, during which thousands of names were removed. According to Rai, many of these were “fake voters” allegedly added by the RJD–Congress alliance in earlier elections. He argued that the revision process was necessary to ensure free and fair elections, dismissing opposition criticism that genuine voters were being deleted.

Rai’s remarks come at a time when both Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are attempting to consolidate support against the NDA ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Gandhi recently highlighted the struggles of makhana farmers in Katihar, while Tejashwi urged RJD workers to help restore names of voters allegedly left out during the revision.

The exchange underscores rising political tensions in Bihar as alliances prepare for a high-stakes electoral contest.