Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched his ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ from Dehri in Bihar’s Rohtas district, calling it a “direct fight against vote theft” and a movement to protect democracy.
The 16-day march comes amid opposition allegations that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has unfairly removed over 6.5 million names, mostly from backward communities, minorities, and migrant workers. The Election Commission has rejected these charges, calling the process transparent.
Yatra Route and Schedule
The march began with a massive rally at Saura Aerodrome Ground in Sasaram and will cover over 1,300 km across 20+ districts, concluding with a grand rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on September 1.
- August 18: Dev Road Amba, Kutumba (Aurangabad)
- August 19: Hanuman Mandir, Punama Wazirganj (Gaya, Nawada)
- August 21: Teen Mohani Durga Mandir (Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai)
- August 22: Chandan Bagh Chowk, Munger
- August 23–24: Katihar and Purnia region
- August 26–29: Supaul, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Bettiah, Saran, Ara
Several rest and strategy days are scheduled in between.
Political Significance
Congress says the Yatra is meant to raise awareness about electoral reforms and prevent “manipulation of voter lists.” Party leaders argue it will build momentum ahead of Bihar assembly elections, especially among young voters who form nearly 40% of the electorate.
Rahul Gandhi will be joined at different stages by INDIA bloc allies, including RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav, CPI(ML)’s Dipankar Bhattacharya, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The campaign slogan, “Ab ki baar, vote choron ki haar” (This time, defeat for vote thieves), underscores the Opposition’s aggressive stance.
NDA’s Response
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary dismissed the march as an attempt to mislead voters, insisting that the SIR process is transparent and credible. JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad also accused the Congress and its allies of trying to create unrest ahead of the polls, expressing confidence that the Nitish Kumar-led NDA will sweep the upcoming elections.
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