Rahul Gandhi Launches 16-Day Voter Rights March in Bihar
Kickoff of the Voter Adhikar Yatra
On Sunday at around 3 PM, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi commenced his 16-day 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram, Bihar. He was joined by Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, all waving the national flag as the march began.
#WATCH | Rajya Sabha LoP and Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, wave the tricolour ahead of commencing their ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Sasaram, Bihar. pic.twitter.com/rDFhMq88M3
— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2025
This march for voter rights comes in the wake of protests by opposition parties in Parliament regarding the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar. During the launch, Rahul Gandhi criticized both the BJP and the Election Commission, claiming that elections at both the state and national levels are being compromised.
He stated, “I am here to declare that elections are being stolen across the country. Their latest scheme is to implement SIR in Bihar to manipulate the elections here as well. We are united in our resolve to prevent this theft of democracy.”
On Saturday, Gandhi had shared insights about his Voter Adhikar Yatra on social media, stating, “16 days. 20 districts. 1,300 kilometers. We are reaching out to the people with the Voter Rights Yatra.”
In a recent Supreme Court hearing regarding petitions against the SIR, the court ordered the Election Commission to disclose details of around 65 lakh voters who were excluded from the electoral roll published in January 2025.
The voter rights march is inspired by Rahul Gandhi's previous initiatives, including the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. It began in Sasaram, a significant area in the Shahabad region, and will traverse through the Mahagathbandhan's strongholds in Magadh, Mithila, Tirhut Ang, Seemanchal, and Saran, concluding at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on September 1.
Election Commission's Response
Amidst the ongoing allegations of 'vote theft' by the opposition, the Election Commission (EC) conducted a press conference at 3 PM on Sunday to address concerns regarding the special intensive electoral roll revision in Bihar.