Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during his Voter Adhikar Yatra in Katihar, Bihar, spotlighted the plight of makhana (fox nut) growers, accusing the “vote chor” government of neglecting marginalized farmers. Interacting with cultivators alongside RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav), Gandhi highlighted the stark disparity between the labor of farmers and the profits reaped by middlemen.

“Bihar produces 90% of the world’s makhana, a global superfood, yet the farmers—mostly from extremely backward and Dalit communities—see barely 1% of the profits,” Gandhi stated in a video shared on X and his YouTube channel. He noted that makhana fetches Rs 1,000-2,000 per kg in urban markets and up to $120 per kg internationally, while farmers receive as little as Rs 200-250 per kg. “The hard work of 99% Bahujans is exploited by 1% middlemen,” he said, vowing to fight this injustice.

Gandhi waded into makhana fields in Katihar, engaging with farmers who shared their struggles, including low prices and lack of direct market access. He participated in the labor-intensive process of harvesting and preparing makhana, underscoring the grueling effort involved. “This superfood is born from the blood and sweat of Bihar’s farmers, but their income is in pennies,” he said on X, promising to ensure rewards reach the laborers.

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The Congress leader tied the farmers’ economic woes to broader issues of justice, stating, “The right to vote and the right to skill are two sides of the same coin. The government neither respects nor cares for these farmers.” He accused the BJP-led government of enabling “vote theft” through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a key focus of his 16-day, 1,300-km Voter Adhikar Yatra, which began on August 17 and will end in Patna on September 1.

Gandhi’s visit follows journalist Archana Rajdharm’s reports on makhana farmers’ challenges, including middlemen control and lack of modern processing facilities. The Union Budget 2025-26 proposed a Makhana Board to enhance production and marketing, but farmers remain skeptical, citing persistent low incomes. Gandhi promised that an INDIA bloc government would enable direct market access for farmers, bypassing exploitative intermediaries, and ensure better loan and insurance facilities.

The yatra, joined by leaders like Jharkhand minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey, has gained traction in Bihar’s Seemanchal region, with crowds chanting “Vote chor, gaddi chhor” (vote thieves, leave the throne). As Bihar gears up for assembly polls, Gandhi’s focus on makhana farmers signals a broader push to address rural distress and consolidate support among marginalized communities.

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