PATNA, Sept. 8 -- In a bid to reclaim the spotlight within the Opposition ranks, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has proposed to undertake a fresh political yatra led by Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, commencing from Sasaram on September 15. Modelled on the recently concluded Congress-led Voter Adhikar Yatra, this initiative targets the 13 districts overlooked during Rahul Gandhi's 1,300-km march, signalling RJD's intent to expand its grassroots footprint ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. The move underscores the subtle power dynamics at play in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, where RJD aims to reinforce its stature as the dominant force in the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). Senior RJD figures, such as chief spokesman Shakti Singh Yadav and former MLA Bhola Yadav, have positioned the yatra as a vital extension of the Opposition's voter outreach efforts. "This yatra will ensure that the voice of every Bihari is heard, especially in areas we couldn't cover earlier," Shakti Singh Yadav emphasised in recent interactions. Yet, the abrupt reveal has left some INDIA allies, notably Congress leaders, in a state of flux regarding participation. Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) chief Rajesh Ram expressed cautious optimism, stating, "We hope this is a continuation of the INDIA bloc's collective fight for voter rights and other issues people are grappling with in the state," while stressing the imperative for cohesion to oust the Nitish Kumar-helmed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. The ambiguity surrounding the event has intensified whispers of it being an RJD-centric solo mission, crafted to offset the momentum gained by Congress post the Voter Adhikar Yatra. Launched on August 17 from Sasaram, the 16-day campaign spotlighted Rahul Gandhi's allegations of electoral roll tampering via the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, drawing massive crowds and revitalizing the party's base in Bihar. Culminating in a high-decibel rally in Patna on September 1, the yatra was lauded for its role in elevating Congress from a peripheral player to a more assertive partner in the alliance. Echoing this surge, senior Congress leader from Madhubani, Kishor Kumar Jha, described the Voter Adhikar Yatra as a resounding success, with millions flocking to venues in Sasaram, Aurangabad, Munger and Bhagalpur to endorse Rahul Gandhi's message. "The yatra has seen a massive turnout of youth, farmers, labourers, students and a significant number of women, breaking caste barriers," Jha noted. He pointed to Rahul's emphatic tackling of voter suppression, unemployment, Bihar's economic woes and the Agnipath scheme as key draws, asserting that the campaign ha breathed new life into Congress workers and the electorate alike. "This has revived the party's historic backing among the underprivileged after years in the wilderness, solidifying the INDIA bloc's stance and reshaping Bihar's political contours for the 2025 polls," Jha added. Political observers view Tejashwi's forthcoming yatra as a tactical counterpunch to reclaim RJD's pre-eminence, particularly after Rahul Gandhi evaded queries on naming a chief ministerial face during the Voter Adhikar Yatra, even though the RJD leader had projected Rahul as the next Prime Ministerial hope of INDIA bloc. RJD has openly chafed at Congress's hesitance to anoint Tejashwi as the CM contender. At the Patna's rally, Tejashwi proclaimed, "Tejashwi aagey aagey, yeh sarkar peeche peeche (Tejashwi takes the lead, this government merely follows)," a rallying cry that underscored his leadership ambitions. The yatra also aligns with escalating calls from an emboldened Congress for more seats in the alliance's tally, a demand amplified by the Voter Adhikar Yatra's triumphs. As BPCC chief Rajesh Ram put it, "The yatra has infused a new lease of life into the Congress, and we expect a fair seat-sharing arrangement." Recent parleys among INDIA leaders suggest progress on this front, with indications of a broad consensus emerging to balance ambitions without fracturing the coalition. Political commentator Nawal Kishore Chaudhary observed, "This yatra is Tejashwi's way of reminding everyone that RJD remains the backbone of the opposition in Bihar," a sentiment that captures the party's drive to mitigate Congress's resurgence. Building on the Voter Adhikar Yatra's critique of purported electoral irregularities-like the purging of voter names and the dubious influx of one crore new voters in Maharashtra post the 2024 Lok Sabha polls - Tejashwi had amplified warnings of disenfranchisement under the Nitish Kumar regime, which he accused of aping opposition pledges. "Bihar's people know the power of their vote, and we will fight to protect it," he asserted during joint campaign, vowing a "befitting reply" to those undermining democracy. Though an official itinerary is pending, RJD sources hint at a focus on districts including Vaishali, Samastipur and Begusarai, absent from the Voter Adhikar Yatra's 25-district sweep. Expect the discourse to zero in on pressing concerns like joblessness, rising prices, tattered health facilities and agrarian grievances - staples of Tejashwi's oratory from the prior event. Responses within the INDIA fold remain varied. RJD portrays the yatra as a synergistic push against the BJP-JD(U) axis, but anonymous Congress voices perceive it as a ploy to eclipse their gains. "The RJD's move is a bid to ensure they remain the dominant force in the coalition," one senior Congress leader confided. Left partners, such as the CPI-ML - who backed the Voter Adhikar Yatra-have held back on endorsing Tejashwi's plans, adding to the intrigue. Social media buzz on X mirrors this divide, with @RJDforIndia underscoring voter safeguards: "BJP JDU walon ki chaal ko hargiz safal nahi hone diya jayega! (The BJP-JD(U)'s tactics will not be allowed to succeed!)". Meanwhile, Jan Suraaj's founder Prashant Kishor, has lambasted the opposition's reliance on external figures, arguing it sidelines Bihar-specific challenges. With the 2025 Bihar polls on the horizon and seat-sharing discussions proceeding "very smoothly," Tejashwi's yatra could tilt the balance in RJD's favor during alliance haggles, amplifying its leverage. Political experts foresee it as a launchpad for Tejashwi to re-engage the masses and cement his persona as a vigorous challenger to BJP hegemony, keeping the opposition's internal equilibrium in sharp focus....