Rahul Gandhi Joins Bihar Fishermen in Pond, Promises Big Support for Local Communities
Rahul Gandhi swims and fishes with Bihar ally to connect with local fishermen ahead of elections.
In a striking display of grassroots outreach amid Bihar’s heated assembly polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paused his rally schedule in Begusarai—once dubbed the “Leningrad of the East”—to go fishing and swimming with local fishermen and key INDIA bloc ally Mukesh Sahni. Dressed in his signature white T-shirt and black trousers, Gandhi boarded a boat to the center of a pond, then plunged in for a freestyle swim before joining Sahni in casting nets and inspecting the catch in waist-deep water.
Sahni, president of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and fondly known as “Son of Mallah” for his roots in the Nishad fishing community, stripped to a vest and underpants to demonstrate traditional net-casting, earning applause from Gandhi. The duo was joined by Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar and dozens of local fishermen, some diving in alongside the leaders. A video shared by Congress on X captured the lively scene, emphasizing Gandhi’s conversations with the community about their daily struggles and livelihoods.
The Congress highlighted INDIA bloc commitments tailored to the fishing community, including an insurance scheme for pisciculture and ₹5,000 financial aid per family during the annual three-month fishing ban. “The rivers, canals, and ponds of Bihar—and the fishermen who depend on them—are a vital part of the state’s economy. I stand with them at every step for their rights and respect,” Gandhi posted on X, framing the outing as both symbolic solidarity and policy promise.
Also Read: Alinagar MLA Mishri Lal Yadav Quits BJP Citing Dalit–OBC Neglect
Sahni, promised the deputy chief minister’s post under an INDIA bloc government despite VIP holding no seats in the outgoing assembly, used the moment to reinforce his community leadership. Local youth expressed visible excitement, with one boy gushing after shaking Gandhi’s hand: “He came to our village. He has done a lot.” As ballots near, the carefully choreographed pond plunge underscores the opposition’s aggressive push to consolidate Extremely Backward Class (EBC) votes in a state where caste arithmetic often decides electoral fate.
Also Read: #BiharPolls: JD(U) White-Clad Warlord Arrested in Murder Case, Exposing Crime-Politics Nexus
