- By Priyanka Koul
- Mon, 01 Sep 2025 08:52 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Voter Adhikar Yatra Key Highlights: Rahul Gandhi’s much-talked-about Voter Adhikar Yatra is wrapping up today, right when Bihar is facing a major controversy. Over 65 lakh voters have been dropped from the draft electoral rolls because of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This march wasn’t just a political exercise, it became a way for people to voice their concerns about this sudden removal. The big rally in Patna today will see Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren join Rahul Gandhi, showing that opposition parties are standing together against what they call an unfair process.
The goal of this yatra was simple to spread awareness about how migrant workers, Dalits, and poor voters are being excluded from the voters’ list. Rahul Gandhi called the SIR a “conspiracy to steal votes,” and the marchers made their feelings clear with chants of "Vote chor, gaddi chhod" (vote thief, quit the throne). Even Jharkhand’s ruling JMM alliance has condemned the SIR, passing a resolution against it.
Joining the yatra in Bihar, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav didn’t hold back his criticism of the Election Commission, calling it the “Jugaad Commission” of the BJP. Yadav arrived in Bihar to join the 16-day Voter Adhikar Yatra, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, where the three of them then continued the Mahagathbandhan's 'Voter Adhikaar Yatra', in Siwan.
Hemant Soren To Join Rahul Gandhi
The big rally today in Patna will be a show of unity for opposition forces. Hemant Soren’s presence alongside Rahul Gandhi is a clear signal of their combined resistance against the Election Commission’s controversial SIR process. According to jagran.com, the event will serve as a crucial platform for the opposition to voice their concerns together.
Key Takeaways From Rahul Gandhi's Voter Adhikar Yatra
- The yatra was originally planned for August 10 but got delayed by a week due to the death of JMM’s Shibu Soren, political developments, and Independence Day celebrations. It finally took off on August 17 in Sasaram, with heavyweights from the opposition like Lalu Prasad Yadav supporting, even though he’s not in the best health.
- The removal of so many voters shocked many, especially those encountering this for the first time. Opposition parties such as RJD, CPI(ML), CPI, and CPM protested in bits and pieces, and some groups even took the issue to the Supreme Court, accusing the Election Commission of rushing through the revision without proper checks.
- The short timeline for the Election Commission’s exercise covering a massive 13.07 crore population, mostly rural and with low literacy has made it difficult to capture the true picture on the ground. The yatra highlighted serious irregularities like people marked dead on the list, lack of door-to-door verification, and households with suspiciously large voter counts.
- Rahul Gandhi was accompanied by prominent opposition figures including Bihar’s Tejashwi Yadav, CPI(ML) chief Dipankar Bhattacharya, and VIP’s Mukesh Sahni. Their journey spanned over 1,300 kilometers, covering 25 districts in just over two weeks, with barely any breaks.
- While the initial focus was on flaws in the SIR, the yatra gradually brought broader issues into the spotlight—unemployment, inflation, and the decline of industries. A notable moment came in Katihar when Rahul Gandhi waded into a pond to meet makhana farmers, emphasizing grassroots concerns. Other topics like women’s safety, crime, and economic growth also gained prominence as the march progressed.
- The yatra got a boost when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined for two days. Leaders took to motorcycles, stopped at roadside dhabas, and interacted warmly with locals, giving the event a lively and approachable vibe.
- This campaign evolved into a symbol of opposition unity nationwide. Leaders from Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Jharkhand joined in, including CM MK Stalin, Akhilesh Yadav, Revanth Reddy, Siddaramaiah, and Hemant Soren. Even though Mamata Banerjee could not attend due to prior commitments, some Trinamool Congress leaders like Yusuf Pathan and Lalitesh Tripathi are expected at the final rally.
- Rahul Gandhi consistently raised issues like farmer distress, unemployment, and poverty, promising solutions if the INDIA alliance came to power. throughout the yatra. While largely steering clear of Operation Sindoor, he challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on topics like India-US relations and trade tariffs to keep the spotlight on governance issues.
- Rahul’s messaging has shifted from questioning electronic voting machines to outright allegations of vote theft. His slogan "vote chor, gaddi chhor" has struck a chord, energizing supporters and gaining traction on social media.
With Inputs from agencies