BHAGALPUR,BIHAR: Even as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi embarked on his Voter Adhikar Yatra on August 17 from Sasaram, he succeeded in showcasing the opposition’s unity, with Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and several other alliance partners accompanying him throughout the journey.
Rahul Gandhi started his yatra from Sasaram on August 17 and travelled through districts like Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar and Purnia. Rahul Gandhi, who took a day’s break on August 20, resumed the yatra on August 21 from Sheikhpura, where Mahagathbandhan leaders—RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, VIP chief Mukesh Sahni and Left party leader Deepankar Bhattacharya— carried it forward.
Rahul Gandhi later joined them in the second half from Lakhisarai. What has surprised many is the newfound bonhomie between the RJD and Congress workers and leaders. The leaders of the alliance partners have displayed unity at every stop, with workers of the RJD, Congress, Vikasheel Insan Party (VIP) and Left parties participating in large numbers to make the yatra a success.
The yatra’s primary aim is to highlight alleged voter roll manipulation and “vote theft” through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission. Highlighting this newfound chemistry between the Congress and RJD, party leaders pointed to the example of Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who earlier faced resistance from the RJD but has now been fully accepted within the yatra. Kumar has addressed press conferences alongside RJD’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Yadav and spokesperson Shakti Yadav, coordinating sharp attacks on the NDA government.
Similarly, Rakesh Ranjan, better known as Pappu Yadav, who had faced RJD opposition during last year’s Lok Sabha elections, has been participating since the start of the yatra and has been accepted by the RJD cadre. Party leaders emphasized that all Mahagathbandhan partners have one common objective: to make the yatra a success and expose the alleged collusion between the Election Commission and the BJP. Differences within the alliance have been shelved to focus on taking on the NDA. An RJD leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “Our leader Tejashwi Yadav’s main motto is to throw the NDA out of power in the state and bring change. That is why it is important for everyone to remain united.” He further added, “We are working together. The goal of all alliance partners is to wrest power from the BJP. The state has been grappling with many issues, and we want to bring change, so we are united in this fight.”
The RJD, VIP, Congress and Left parties are continuously highlighting the alleged vote theft through SIR in Bihar, with Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav and Mukesh Sahni constantly badmouthing the Election Commission and urging the voters to remain vigilant against the theft of their rights. A Congress leader noted that several top I.N.D.I Alliance partners are expected to attend the yatra in Bihar, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav set to join on August 30. He also highlighted that senior Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, will participate in the yatra, giving further momentum to the Congress ahead of the crucial Assembly elections.
The yatra, scheduled to conclude in Ara on August 30, will be followed by a mega public meeting at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on September 1. The event is expected to send a strong message of opposition unity, with several top leaders of the I.N.D.I Alliance attending. Election for the 243-member Bihar Assembly are slated for OctoberNovember this year, and the Mahagathbandhan is determined to make a strong comeback in the politically sensitive state.
