The Voter Adhikar Yatra, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, concluded on Monday with a high-profile march and rally in Patna. Spanning over 14 days and covering approximately 1,300 kilometers across 25 districts and 110 assembly constituencies, the campaign began on August 17 in Sasaram. It symbolized a widespread mobilisation on the issue of voter list discrepancies.
The campaign was launched following the Election Commission’s release of data indicating that 6.5 million names were omitted from Bihar’s draft electoral rolls—a development triggered by a Supreme Court interim order. Rahul Gandhi flagged this as an assault on democratic rights and began the Yatra to press for rectification of the voter list.
Electoral Rights at the Forefront
At various points during the Yatra, Rahul Gandhi stressed that the right to vote is the foundation of democracy. He alleged that “vote chori” (vote theft) was being attempted through the manipulation of rolls. In Patna, he claimed that a “hydrogen bomb” of evidence would soon expose large-scale irregularities.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing the gathering, warned voters to remain vigilant to protect their franchise. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren accused the BJP of misusing institutions and challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to face the electorate only after a comprehensive revision of rolls.
Patna March and Public Mobilisation
The final leg in Patna drew thousands of supporters, who carried flags, placards, and banners despite the afternoon heat. The march wound through major city roads before police halted it at Dak Bungalow Crossing, citing restrictions. Leaders then addressed the gathering from that point.
The streets were lined with cutouts of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi and a sea of tricolor flags, giving the event a festival-like atmosphere. Leaders from across the INDIA bloc, including Tejashwi Yadav, Mallikarjun Kharge, Hemant Soren, Sanjay Raut, and CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, joined Rahul Gandhi atop an open vehicle during the procession.
The concluding event in Patna featured a foot march titled “Gandhi se Ambedkar”, beginning at Gandhi Maidan and concluding at Ambedkar’s statue near the High Court. Prominent INDIA bloc figures, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Hemant Soren, Tejashwi Yadav, and others, joined Rahul Gandhi, followed by public tribute and addresses.
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, addressing the gathering, urged PM Modi, to seek a fresh mandate only after comprehensive electoral roll revision and accused the BJP and central agencies of targeting the opposition.
