The Indus Zone Tech Desk | Patna, October 22, 2025 | Rahul Gandhi Promised, But No Ticket
Bhagirath Manjhi, the son of India’s legendary “Mountain Man” Dashrath Manjhi, has expressed deep disappointment after being denied a Congress ticket By Rahul Gandhi for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, despite what he claims were prior assurances from party leader Rahul Gandhi.
Speaking to ANI, Bhagirath revealed that he had travelled to Delhi with hopes of securing a nomination but returned empty-handed.
“I stayed in Delhi for four days, submitted all the required papers, and even spoke to Rahul Gandhi. He said I would get a ticket, but I never received one. Everyone else got tickets, but I didn’t. I couldn’t even meet Rahul Gandhi after waiting for days,” he said.
Legacy of the ‘Mountain Man’
Bhagirath Manjhi carries the legacy of his father, Dashrath Manjhi, the man who defied all odds by carving a road through a mountain in Gehlaur village near Gaya, Bihar. Using only a hammer and chisel, Dashrath single-handedly cut a 110-meter-long, 9.1-meter-wide, and 7.7-meter-deep path, reducing the distance between Atri and Wazirganj blocks from 55 km to 15 km.
His remarkable feat took 22 years to complete, earning him national recognition and the enduring title of “Mountain Man of India.”
Dashrath Manjhi passed away on August 17, 2007, and was given a state funeral by the Bihar government. He was also recommended for the Padma Shri award in 2006 for his contribution to social service. In 2016, India Post issued a commemorative stamp in his honor under the “Personalities of Bihar” series.
Congress Faces Internal Rifts Ahead of Bihar Elections 2025
The Congress party, a key member of the Mahagathbandhan alliance — which also includes the RJD, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), and Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) — is facing internal challenges as candidate selection disputes surface ahead of the polls.
While both the RJD and Congress have announced some candidates, the alliance has yet to finalise its seat-sharing arrangement. In contrast, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) — comprising the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) — has already sealed its deal.
Under the NDA pact:
BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each,
LJP (Ram Vilas) will fight for 29 seats, and
RLM and HAM will contest six seats each.
Bihar Election Dates and Key Details
The Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 will be held in two phases — November 6 and November 11. The vote counting is scheduled for November 14.
Political analysts suggest that Congress’s indecision and internal confusion could weaken the Mahagathbandhan’s prospects in several key constituencies.
Rahul Gandhi’s Tribute to Dashrath Manjhi
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had paid tribute to Dashrath Manjhi on his death anniversary, acknowledging his determination and perseverance as a source of inspiration for millions. However, Bhagirath Manjhi’s recent statement underscores growing discontent among Congress hopefuls in Bihar.
