Rahul Gandhi is working to a plan, and there is no hint of “frustration” in what he is doing – never mind what the Shiv Sena says. Not many know that in January he sent 16 young MPs to Bihar to check out the Congress party’s prospects in various districts.

Among those who went were Sachin Pilot, Jitin Prasada, Priya Dutt and Madhu Goud Yeskhi, travelling to Patna, Darbhanga, Purnea, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Kishanganj and the like, bringing back an outsiders’ perspective that the party may not have got from its own unit in the state.

And what they reported is heartening for the Congress’ comeback prospects in a state where they have been also-rans for nearly two decades.