From Campaign to Catch: Rahul Gandhi Goes Fishing in Poll-Bound Bihar - Watch Video

Taking a break from his campaign trail in poll-bound Bihar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday went fishing in Begusarai, joining ally Mukesh Sahni, even as he later launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a series of rallies in the state.After addressing a public meeting, Gandhi headed to a pond in Begusarai district with Sahni, the chief of the Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) and a key partner in the INDIA bloc. The two leaders took a boat to the middle of the pond, where Sahni, known as the "son of Mallah", waded into the waist-deep water and cast a fishing net, drawing cheers from the crowd.The Congress leader, dressed in his signature white T-shirt and cargo pants, soon followed Sahni into the water, amid chants

of "Rahul Gandhi Zindabad". Several local fishermen joined them as onlookers recorded the unusual campaign moment.

A video of the event shared by the Congress on its official X handle said Gandhi also interacted with local fishermen about the “challenges and struggles they face in their work.” The post highlighted the INDIA bloc’s promises of an insurance scheme for those in the fishing industry and financial aid of Rs 5,000 during the three-month fishing ban period.Sahni, a former Bihar minister, appeared visibly excited as he demonstrated fishing techniques for Gandhi, who watched keenly before trying his hand at casting the net.Later, addressing rallies in Begusarai and Khagaria, Gandhi accused Prime Minister Modi of being “scared” of United States President Donald Trump and “remote-controlled” by big business.

“Having a huge chest does not make you strong. Mahatma Gandhi had a frail body but took on the British, who were superpowers of the time,” Gandhi said. “Modi got a panic attack when Trump called him during Operation Sindoor. He is not just scared of Trump, he is being remote-controlled by Ambani and Adani,” he alleged.Drawing a contrast, Gandhi said his grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi “did not get scared” when threatened by the U.S. in 1971.He also attacked the Modi government’s economic policies, alleging that decisions like GST and demonetisation were “meant to destroy small businesses and benefit big ones.” Gandhi vowed that an INDIA bloc government would promote small industries and local manufacturing.“Modi says you have cheap internet to watch reels. But when you do, the money goes to Ambani,” he said.Gandhi, accompanied by Sahni, also claimed the ruling NDA was manipulating the electoral process in Bihar, alleging names of Mahagathbandhan supporters had been deleted from voter rolls.Promising inclusive governance, he said the INDIA bloc intended to make Sahni deputy chief minister if voted to power.(With PTI inputs)