A controversy erupted during a Mahagathbandhan protest in Patna, Bihar, as Kanhaiya Kumar, a Congress leader, and Pappu Yadav, an independent MP, were reportedly prevented from boarding a vehicle carrying Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. The incident, which occurred during a demonstration against the Election Commission's decision to revise electoral rolls ahead of the state assembly elections, has fueled speculation about internal conflicts within the opposition alliance.

Videos circulating online show security personnel stopping Kumar and Yadav from joining Gandhi and Yadav on the van. This has led to questions about the unity and coordination within the INDIA opposition alliance, particularly between the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

The rally was part of a larger protest against the Election Commission's decision to conduct a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar before the upcoming state assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi addressed the rally, warning of potential electoral manipulation similar to what he alleged occurred in Maharashtra. He raised concerns about the increase in voter numbers between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Maharashtra, suggesting that the newly added votes disproportionately favored the BJP.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Nirupam, a former Congress leader, has taken aim at the Congress party, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. Nirupam, who was expelled from the Congress earlier this year for "indiscipline" and "anti-party statements," has been a vocal critic of the party's leadership and direction. He has described the Congress as "ideologically irrelevant" and plagued by internal power struggles. Nirupam has also accused the Congress of being a "double-faced" party regarding reservation policies.

Nirupam's criticism of the Congress is not new. Following his departure from the party, videos circulated of him appealing to voters to support the BJP, further highlighting his disillusionment with his former party. He has characterized the Congress as an outdated "heritage building" unable to adapt to the changing political landscape.

The denial of access to Kanhaiya Kumar and Pappu Yadav to Rahul Gandhi’s vehicle, coupled with Sanjay Nirupam's continued criticism, paints a picture of an opposition alliance grappling with internal divisions and external challenges. Whether these incidents will have a significant impact on the Mahagathbandhan's prospects in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections remains to be seen.