Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ gained strong momentum in Bihar on Monday, the second day of the yatra, with massive public participation and growing enthusiasm.
The campaign, aimed at raising awareness against voter fraud and safeguarding democratic rights, witnessed an overwhelming response from the people, who took to the streets in large numbers.
Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, VIP chief Mukesh Sahani and CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, besides other top leaders of the INDIA Alliance, started his journey on the second day with prayers at the famous Sun Temple in Deo, Aurangabad. The caravan passed through Amba, Kutumba and Rafiganj before reaching Gaya.
Crowds gathered in the thousands to catch a glimpse of the INDIA bloc leaders, with some youths even climbing trees to record videos and photos. The growing excitement around the yatra reflected the public’s deep engagement with the cause and their eagerness to be part of this political movement.
Besides addressing public rallies, the INDIA bloc leaders also held brief meetings with local people along the way who raised their concerns regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. Several of them complained that their names have been deleted as they failed to submit documents asked by the Election Commission, despite voting in the past.
Sharing their plight on ‘X’, Rahul Gandhi stated: “Votes of people who voted in the last 4-5 elections have also been stolen in Bihar. And, when the reason was asked, the only answer was — orders came from the top. This is a fight for the rights of the poor. We will not stop. We will put an end to vote theft.”
Tejashwi Yadav said: “The ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ is to protect the voting rights of every individual. This journey is for safeguarding the interests of people of Bihari, for their jobs, reservations and development. This battle will be fought and won for Bihar.”
Dipankar Bhattacharya said that this Yatra is the beginning of a larger movement. The government’s attempt to disenfranchise people of Bihar has sparked widespread anger among the people. This anger was clearly visible during the yatra.
He further said that the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar has become a burden on the people, and they are ready to throw it off. No conspiracy by the Election Commission or the SIR process will be able to save this government.
RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav flagged-off the Yatra in Sasaram on Sunday. It will cover 1,300 km across 25 districts in 16 days and will conclude with a massive public rally at the historic Gandhi Maidan on 1 September.