Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar accuses BJP, RSS, and ECI of vote theft
A Yatra That Echoes Across Bihar
March for the Mandate – The streets of Bihar are alive with slogans, speeches, and a growing sense of urgency. The ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, launched by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, is not just a political campaign, it’s a loud protest against what the Opposition calls “vote chori” or vote theft. The 16-day march began on August 17 in Sasaram and is set to conclude on September 1 in Patna, covering over 1,300 kilometres and 25 districts.
At the heart of this movement is a serious allegation: that the Election Commission of India (ECI), under pressure from the ruling BJP, has deleted nearly 65 lakh voter names from Bihar’s electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Rahul Gandhi claims these deletions mostly affect Dalits, minorities, and backward classes, who traditionally vote for non-BJP parties.
The yatra is drawing massive crowds and has become a symbol of resistance. It’s not just about elections, it’s about protecting the very foundation of democracy.
United Voices: INDIA Bloc Shows Strength
What started as a Congress-RJD initiative has now become a full-blown Opposition unity show. Leaders from across India have joined the yatra, including M.K. Stalin (DMK), Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kanhaiya Kumar, and Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML). Even Trinamool Congress is sending representatives like Yusuf Pathan and Lalitesh Tripathi to the final rally.
Their message is clear: the INDIA bloc is standing together to defend voter rights and challenge what they call the institutional capture of democratic bodies. Stalin called the SIR process “more dangerous than terrorism,” while Kanimozhi said, “A government born out of questionable voting is not the people’s government”.
This show of unity is not just symbolic, it’s strategic. With Bihar Assembly elections approaching, the Opposition is trying to build momentum and connect with voters across caste and community lines.
The Allegations: Vote Theft and Institutional Bias
Rahul Gandhi has made repeated claims that the BJP is winning elections by manipulating voter lists with the help of the ECI. He referred to this as the “Gujarat model” of vote theft, now being applied nationwide. At a rally in Muzaffarpur, he demanded an explanation from the Election Commission about the mass deletions and promised to provide evidence of vote theft in past elections.
The Opposition argues that the voter deletions are not random, they target communities that are less likely to vote for the BJP. This, they say, is a direct attack on the Constitution and the people’s mandate.
The ECI has responded by stating that over 98% of voters submitted the required forms during the revision process. However, the Supreme Court had to intervene, ordering the ECI to publish the deleted names and accept Aadhaar as valid ID.
What Comes Next: Rallying for Democracy
The final leg of the yatra will be a padyatra (foot march) in Patna, replacing the originally planned rally at Gandhi Maidan. This symbolic walk is expected to draw thousands of supporters and mark a powerful end to the campaign.
The Opposition hopes this movement will inspire voters to check their registration, demand transparency, and hold institutions accountable. It’s also a test of how much ground the INDIA bloc can gain before the Bihar elections.
While the BJP denies all allegations and accuses the Opposition of spreading misinformation, the yatra has already succeeded in one major way, it has made voter rights a national issue.
Final Thought:
The ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ is more than a protest, it’s a war cry for democracy. In a time when trust in institutions is fading, this march reminds citizens that their vote is their voice. Whether it leads to electoral change or not, it has already reignited the spirit of participation and accountability in Bihar.
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