A police constable was injured in a startling incident involving Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s convoy during the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar’s Nawada district on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at Bhagat Singh Chowk, where the constable reportedly tripped and fell in front of an open-top jeep carrying the Leader of Opposition, causing the vehicle to lightly brush his feet, according to Nawada SP Abhinav Dhiman.

The crowded street, filled with Gandhi’s supporters and security personnel, saw immediate action as fellow policemen and bystanders pushed the vehicle back to free the constable, who was seen limping away. Gandhi, standing in the jeep, quickly handed a water bottle to supporters to aid the injured officer and later met with him to check on his condition. The constable is scheduled for an X-ray to assess the injury, which preliminary observations suggest is minor, the SP told PTI.

The incident sparked a political firestorm, with the BJP seizing the opportunity to attack Congress. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared a video on social media, alleging the constable was “crushed” under Gandhi’s vehicle, mockingly dubbing the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ as the “Crush Janta Yatra.” He further claimed Gandhi did not step out to check on the officer, accusing him of indifference.

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In response, Bihar Congress spokesperson Asith Nath Tiwary dismissed the BJP’s claims as “lies” spread by a rattled party unnerved by the yatra’s success. “The BJP is resorting to rumors to undermine the campaign,” Tiwary told PTI, emphasizing that the incident was accidental and minor.

Joined by opposition leaders like RJD’s Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, the march is billed as a crusade to protect democracy, with Gandhi alleging a conspiracy to “steal votes” ahead of Bihar’s year-end elections. The campaign follows Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which the party credits for recent electoral gains.

As the yatra continues, the incident has intensified the political slugfest, with both sides trading barbs over the mishap. Authorities are ensuring the constable receives proper medical attention, while the Congress presses forward with its voter outreach mission.

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