Bihar Vidhan Sabha Chunav 2025: The 16-day Voter Rights Yatra of the India Alliance of opposition parties led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi ended on Monday in Bihar. This journey can prove to be an important event in Bihar politics.
Patna: The ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ of the leaders of the India Alliance (INDIA bloc) in Bihar, led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, took place. This 16-day journey passed through 25 districts and 110 assembly constituencies of the state. The purpose of this journey of about 1300 kilometers was to raise voice against the alleged removal of names of lakhs of voters from the voter list. Rahul Gandhi called it a “moral” fight. Opposition parties showed unity during the journey. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of stealing votes. Rahul Gandhi said that this is not just an issue of Bihar, but an issue of Indian democracy. Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ started from Sasaram and ended in Patna. The aim of this yatra was to raise voice for the lakhs of voters whose names have been removed from the voter list. The names of 65.5 lakh voters of the state have not been included in the draft voter list of the Election Commission.
The Yatra was presented as a moral battle
The opposition presented this yatra not just as a campaign but as a “moral” battle. Rahul Gandhi said that he wants to protect the voting rights of lakhs of people whose names have been removed from the voter list. The yatra saw political drama, appeals to the constitutional system and a demonstration of opposition unity. Slogans like ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod’ were raised during this yatra.
Many leaders of the India Alliance of opposition parties joined the Voter Adhikar Yatra at different times. This demonstrated opposition unity. Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, Revanth Reddy, Ashok Gehlot, KC Venugopal, Siddaramaiah participated in the yatra. Tejashwi Yadav from RJD remained in the yatra throughout and Lalu Prasad Yadav also joined it in the middle. Akhilesh Yadav from Samajwadi Party, MK Stalin and Kanimozhi from DMK, Hemant Soren from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Yusuf Pathan and Lalitesh Tripathi from Trinamool Congress, Supriya Sule and Jitendra Awhad from NCP (Sharad Pawar), Sanjay Raut from Shiv Sena (UBT), Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML), D Raja (CPI), MA Baby (CPI-M) from Left parties and Mukesh Sahni from VIP also participated in the yatra.
Message of protecting the Constitution
Rahul Gandhi said that the main message of his yatra is – ‘one person, one vote’. He accused the BJP and the Election Commission of removing the names of more than 65 lakh voters from the voter list. He said that the voters who were removed include Dalits, OBCs, Muslims and poor people. Rahul Gandhi said, “This is not just about Bihar, it is about the democracy of India.” He said that this yatra was to protect the Constitution.
Congress has been continuously weakening in Bihar in the last four decades. But this yatra established Rahul Gandhi as the main face of the opposition. The yatra has also encouraged Congress workers. This gave the party a chance to strengthen its organization before the Bihar assembly elections.
Congress tried to regain the lost support base
Congress has presented this fight as a fight for rights and democracy, different from caste politics. The party is trying to make its place again in Bihar politics on these issues. Through the yatra, the opposition made sharp attacks on the Election Commission.
On the last day of the Voter Rights Yatra in Patna, Rahul Gandhi marched from Gandhi Maidan to Ambedkar’s statue. He mentioned the legacy of both Gandhi and Ambedkar. He described the yatra as a “revolution for electoral justice”.
Rahul Gandhi tried to portray himself as a grassroots leader
During the Voter Rights Yatra, Rahul Gandhi was wearing a gamchha over a white T-shirt. He was seen talking to people in villages while riding an open jeep. The party shared these pictures a lot on social media. He was presented as a grassroots and reach-out leader. Rahul Gandhi also visited makhana fields. He saw how this superfood is grown. He said that 99 percent of ‘Bahujan’ people work hard, while only one percent of middlemen get the benefit. He promised to fight against this “injustice”.
There were some controversies during this yatra. A police constable in Rahul Gandhi’s convoy was injured. BJP attacked on this issue. Allegedly derogatory remarks were made against PM Modi during a rally in Darbhanga. BJP got an opportunity to attack the opposition from this and strongly criticized it. There was also a clash between ruling and opposition party workers in Patna, which increased the tension.
Hope infused among Congress workers in Bihar
The yatra has infused hope among Congress workers. Rahul Gandhi has been projected as a strong challenger to PM Modi. The yatra has sent a message of opposition unity in the state. But the question is, will this momentum continue, or will it fizzle out like Congress’ previous attempts?
Rahul Gandhi has made “vote theft” a political issue. He is hoping that his yatra will be remembered not just as a roadshow, but as the start of a movement that will bring results in the upcoming elections.
Many controversies during the yatra
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ was an important political event in Bihar. It was aimed at protecting the rights of voters and reinvigorating the Congress party. There were many controversies during the yatra, but it has certainly created a stir in the state’s politics.
Rahul Gandhi used many symbols in the yatra. He wore a white T-shirt and gamchha. It was an attempt to look like a common man. He tried to show that he is with the poor and backward people. The gathering of opposition leaders during the yatra was important. This gave the message that all the opposition parties are united against the BJP.
The yatra raised the temperature of Bihar politics
Rahul Gandhi appealed to the people to unite against the government. He said that if people are united then they can change the government. Rahul Gandhi’s words had a great impact on the people. During the yatra, many people met him and told him their problems. People told him how upset they are with the government. Rahul Gandhi assured the people that he will make every effort to solve their problems. He said that he is with the people and he will continue to fight for them. This yatra of Rahul Gandhi can prove to be a turning point in Bihar politics.
Assembly elections in Bihar are likely to be held in the month of October-November. Before this election, the political atmosphere of Bihar has become completely heated. Allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling and opposition parties are increasing. Bihar assembly elections are important because its results can give indications about the future of the ruling party and the opposition. About six months after this election, assembly elections will be held in four states Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal in May 2026. Of these, three states have opposition governments.
Authored by: Suryakant Pathak
About the author
Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been doing journalism for the last 31 years. He writes news, analysis and blogs on India’s international relations, political-social developments in the country and the world. He started as a reporter in Dainik Bhaskar in 1995 and then worked in Naiduniya, Amar Ujala, ETV, People’s News etc.
Courtesy: Hindi News