Congress Protests Against Voter List Revision in Bihar Ahead of Elections

In Bihar, Congress activists took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against the special intensive revision of the voter list ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Calling for a 'Bihar Bandh' in response to the Election Commission's decision to amend the voter list, they blocked railway tracks at the Secretariat Halt station. Independent MP Pappu Yadav from Purnia joined the protest, chanting slogans like "Election Commission, wake up!"

 

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, along with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, participated in the 'Bihar Bandh' organized by the Grand Alliance against the special intensive revision of the voter list ahead of the 2025 Bihar assembly elections. Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram stated that whenever the country faces a "crisis," Congress MPs are seen fighting on the streets. He mentioned to a news outlet, "Whenever the nation is in trouble, Rahul Gandhi stands up for the cause. Today, as voting rights are at risk, we are fighting for it, and Rahul Gandhi is here to support us." 

 

Rajesh Ram also criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding the revision of the voter list before the assembly elections. He pointed out the difference between making decisions from Delhi and those made on the ground. He argued that if such actions were necessary, they should have been taken before the Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Congress workers participating in the 'Bihar Bandh' lay down on the roads to block vehicles.

 

One Congress activist stated, "We will continue this until the government meets our demands. We will fight to the limit of our leadership... The ruling party is merely trying to confuse the public."

Another activist declared, "Bihar has successfully shut down. The Grand Alliance stands united against the Election Commission's fraud... Even if a vehicle runs over us, we will not get up." Meanwhile, leaders from the India Block set tires ablaze and blocked roads in the Maner assembly area of Patna district.

In the midst of the protests, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav launched a fierce attack on the Election Commission's decision to amend the voter list, accusing it of functioning as a "branch of a political party." Speaking to a news outlet, he questioned, "Will two individuals from Gujarat decide who among the Bihari voters can vote and who cannot?" He further alleged that the Election Commission has lost its credibility and is systematically preparing to exclude poor individuals from the voter list.

 

Previously, Tejashwi expressed deep concerns regarding the special intensive revision (SIR), claiming that those unable to provide the 11 documents requested for verification would have their names removed from the voter list. He emphasized, "The worrying aspect is that we have yet to receive any clarity from the Election Commission. As you all know, the Bihar Election Commission operates merely like a post office and has no authority to respond. Why are they not answering the questions from the opposition and the people of Bihar? The people of Bihar do not possess the 11 documents requested by the Election Commission; they only have their Aadhaar cards, MGNREGA cards, and ration cards. This is the only documentation the poor in Bihar have. It is clear that those without these 11 documents will be removed from the list."