In a fiery address during a rally in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that the Prime Minister would even “dance” if it meant securing votes. Gandhi’s comment, made on October 29, 2025, has sparked a fresh political confrontation between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Gandhi’s remark came as part of his broader accusation that the BJP prioritises electoral gains over genuine governance and public welfare. “If you tell Narendra Modi to dance, he will dance — he just wants your vote,” Gandhi declared to a cheering crowd. He went on to allege that the BJP had already “stolen elections” in states like Maharashtra and Haryana and warned voters in Bihar to remain vigilant against similar attempts. According to him, the ruling party is willing to go to any extent to stay in power, often relying on distractions and theatrics rather than addressing core issues such as unemployment, inflation, and farmers’ distress.
The Congress leader also criticised the Prime Minister for focusing on image-building rather than tackling real problems faced by citizens. Referring to symbolic acts like Modi’s public events and photo opportunities, Gandhi suggested that such gestures are meant to divert public attention from the hardships people face daily. He urged voters to support the opposition alliance, or “Mahagathbandhan,” which he claimed stands for equality, justice, and the protection of India’s Constitution.
The BJP, however, swiftly hit back at Rahul Gandhi, calling his remarks “abusive and disrespectful.” Party spokespersons accused Gandhi of lowering the standard of political discourse and insulting the people of Bihar. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari criticised Gandhi for “speaking like a local goon” and asserted that the Prime Minister’s leadership had brought significant development to the state and the nation. The party also rejected Gandhi’s allegations of vote theft as baseless, arguing that they were attempts to undermine the credibility of India’s democratic institutions.
Political analysts believe the clash reflects the increasingly heated tone of election campaigning in Bihar, where both national and regional leaders are fighting for control over the state’s political narrative. Gandhi’s “dance for votes” comment seeks to portray Modi as image-obsessed and desperate for popularity, while the BJP is trying to frame the Congress as arrogant and disconnected from ordinary voters.
As election season intensifies, the controversy underscores the shifting nature of political rhetoric in India — where campaign battles are not only about governance and policies but also about tone, symbolism, and credibility. With both parties determined to shape the public perception of leadership and sincerity, the Bihar campaign is shaping up to be one of the most intense contests in recent years.