In Bihar, Rahul Gandhi launches ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’: Says new SIR plan is nothing but a plot to snatch elections, promises strong resistance.

by Webdesk
18 Aug 2025

Source: The Indian Express

Before embarking on his 16-day, 1,300-km “Voter Adhikar Yatra” (Voter Rights March) from Sasaram in Bihar’s Rohtas district on Sunday, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of a “fresh conspiracy” to manipulate and steal the upcoming elections in Bihar through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He alleged that the poll body was deliberately adding names of new voters and deleting existing ones to tilt the balance in favor of the ruling BJP and its allies. Surrounded by Mahagathbandhan allies and speaking before a massive gathering waving placards and flags, Gandhi declared that neither he nor the people of Bihar would allow such a theft of democracy. He reminded the crowd that for the poor and marginalized, the vote is their only power, and it was being systematically stolen from them.

Responding to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s statement in Delhi that Gandhi must either file a sworn affidavit within a week or apologize for his allegations, the Congress leader questioned why no such demand was ever made when BJP leader Anurag Thakur had raised similar allegations. Just days earlier, Thakur had claimed irregularities in voter rolls in opposition-held constituencies, but Gandhi pointed out that the Election Commission remained silent then.

In his speech, Gandhi argued that elections across the country were being manipulated, from Assembly polls to the Lok Sabha elections. He said that after exposing these practices through press conferences, the truth about electoral theft was no longer hidden. “Wherever this fraud takes place—whether in Bihar, Maharashtra, Assam, or Bengal—we will stand against it,” he asserted, adding that the Modi government was working hand in glove with billionaires to control outcomes. He further pointed out that in Maharashtra, despite opinion polls predicting an INDIA bloc victory, the BJP-led alliance suddenly swept elections just months after losing in the Lok Sabha polls. According to Gandhi, an investigation revealed that nearly one crore new voters mysteriously appeared on rolls during this period, directly benefiting the BJP alliance.

The Congress leader recounted how his party had approached the poll body demanding videography of the process, only to be refused. In Karnataka, he said, a detailed inquiry into one Assembly segment within a Lok Sabha constituency revealed over one lakh fraudulent votes, which swung the seat in BJP’s favor. Gandhi argued that the Election Commission’s demand for an affidavit from him, while ignoring similar remarks made by BJP leaders, proved its bias. Later in Aurangabad, addressing the yatra’s evening halt, Gandhi raised further questions about the integrity of the institution, pointing out that laws introduced in 2023 shield Election Commissioners from legal action, making them unaccountable. He alleged that this immunity was deliberately created by the Modi-Shah leadership to protect the EC while it aided in “vote theft.”

He told the gathering that while the EC was quick to demand explanations from him, it showed double standards by not taking action against BJP leaders who made identical claims. This, he said, made it evident that the poll panel was working as an ally of the government rather than as an independent authority safeguarding democracy.

What Tejashwi Yadav said

While Gandhi addressed the sea of supporters in Sasaram, the venue reverberated with chants and slogans against “vote chori.” The rally ground, filled with the tricolour of the Congress, the green of the RJD, and the red of Left parties and VIP, showcased a united Mahagathbandhan front. Among the speakers, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav’s words drew immense applause as he warned Prime Minister Modi not to underestimate the people of Bihar. He said that while Biharis may be poor, they are sharp-minded and will not bend to injustice. Reminding the crowd of the Constitution drafted by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Yadav emphasized that every citizen, regardless of wealth, had the right to vote. He accused the BJP of misusing the Election Commission to rob people of this right, even declaring living voters as “dead” to strike them off rolls. Calling it more than just “vote theft,” Yadav said it amounted to outright robbery of democracy.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing the same rally, echoed the sentiment, accusing the poll panel of functioning like an agent of the Modi government, which he described as “dangerous” and a direct threat to democratic rights. The event was also attended by several prominent Mahagathbandhan leaders, including Congress general secretary K. C. Venugopal, VIP chief Mukesh Sahni, CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI(M)’s Subhashini Ali, and CPI’s Sandosh Kumar P., all of whom lent their support to the campaign.

The march, modeled on Rahul Gandhi’s earlier Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, is designed to span 23 districts, 50 Assembly segments, and 29 Lok Sabha constituencies before culminating in a massive rally in Patna on September 1. On Monday, the journey was scheduled to pass through Kutumba, Aurangabad, and Deo in Aurangabad district, as well as Guraru in Gaya district, continuing its effort to mobilize public opinion against alleged electoral fraud and to safeguard the right to vote.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

In Bihar, Rahul Gandhi launches ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’: Says new SIR plan is nothing but a plot to snatch elections, promises strong resistance.

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