Patna, Bihar: Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ has been met with a massive public response in Bihar, sparking a political firestorm ahead of the state’s upcoming elections. The 16-day march, which is set to cover over 1,300 km across 20 districts and will culminate in a rally in Patna on September 1, has become a major flashpoint, with the opposition and ruling parties trading barbs over the integrity of the electoral process.
The yatra, launched from Sasaram on August 17, is primarily focused on the contentious issue of alleged “vote theft” or “vote chori” and irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls. Rahul Gandhi has been accusing the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of conspiring to delete the names of lakhs of voters, particularly from marginalized communities, to manipulate the outcome of the upcoming elections.
Congress and INDIA Alliance Statements:
The yatra has become a show of strength for the INDIA bloc, with key leaders joining Rahul Gandhi on different stretches of the march.
- Rahul Gandhi: The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha has repeatedly claimed that the “Gujarat Model” is not an economic model but a “model of vote theft.” He has alleged that the BJP, with the help of the ECI, is “stealing” votes and has vowed to expose this in the coming months. He has been raising the slogan, “Vote Chor Gaddi Chhodd” (Vote thief, leave the throne), which has resonated with the crowds.
- Tejashwi Yadav: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader has been a constant companion to Rahul Gandhi, riding motorcycles with him through the streets of Bihar. He has echoed Gandhi’s allegations, stating that the ECI is “standing with the BJP.” He has also criticized the state government’s performance, declaring that the upcoming election would be the last for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
- MK Stalin: The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and a key ally in the INDIA bloc, M.K. Stalin, joined the yatra in Muzaffarpur. He called the deletion of 65 lakh names from the electoral rolls a “serious threat to democracy,” and asserted that the BJP has made the Election Commission a “puppet.” He also said that if elections were held fairly, the BJP alliance would lose.
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Other Leaders: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other INDIA bloc leaders like CPI (ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and VIP party chief Mukesh Sahani, have also joined the yatra to show solidarity. They have all emphasized the importance of protecting the constitutional right to vote and have condemned what they see as a conspiracy to disempower the poor.
BJP’s Counter-Strategy:
The immense public support for the yatra has reportedly prompted the BJP to rethink its strategy in Bihar. While some BJP leaders initially dismissed the yatra as a “worker’s yatra” without popular support, there are growing concerns within the party that the “vote chori” narrative is gaining traction. - Reinforcing Unity: The BJP has mobilized its top leaders and those from its NDA allies, including the JD(U) and LJP, to hold press conferences and public meetings across the state. The primary aim is to project a united front and counter the opposition’s narrative.
- Counter-Narrative: BJP leaders are trying to discredit the yatra and its claims. Former Union Minister Shahnawaz Hussain has stated that the yatra is not a concern for them and that the crowds are just “ticket-seekers” from the Congress and RJD.
- Focus on Development: The BJP’s strategy also involves reinforcing the public image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and highlighting the development work undertaken by the “double-engine government.” The party believes that a strong campaign based on their leadership and achievements can negate any damage caused by the opposition’s allegations.
- Targeting Activists: The BJP has also launched a public relations campaign against activists and opposition leaders, accusing them of trying to mislead the public in the name of human rights.
