Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will kick off a 16-day “Vote Adhikar Yatra” from Sasaram, Bihar, on Sunday, as the party ramps up its campaign against alleged irregularities in the State’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
On Wednesday, Gandhi posted a video on X showing him interacting with voters who were officially declared “dead” during the SIR process. “I’ve had many interesting experiences in life, but never the chance to have tea with ‘dead people’. For this unique experience, thank you Election Commission!” he remarked.
Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal visited Sasaram to coordinate preparations with INDIA bloc partners. “The fight to protect our democracy will take place on the streets! Starting August 17, Rahul Gandhiji and INDIA parties will embark on a massive yatra across Bihar — against the dangerous SIR exercise and to turn the battle against vote theft into a mass movement,” Venugopal posted on X.
While the exact route is yet to be confirmed, the yatra is expected to pass through 24 of Bihar’s 38 districts, covering nearly 60 of the 243 Assembly seats, including Aurangabad, Gaya, Nalanda, Munger, Purnia, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Champaran, Gopalganj, Supaul, Siwan, Chhapra, and Arrah — many of which have seen heavy voter deletion complaints. The journey will end with a rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on September 1.
The Congress also released a new campaign video alleging “vote chori” (vote theft), portraying fake ballots cast in the names of genuine voters. “Do not let your right to vote be snatched away. Ask questions, demand answers, raise your voice against vote chori. Free constitutional institutions from the BJP’s clutches,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on X.
Under its “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” (Vote thief, vacate the seat) banner, the party has planned multiple nationwide events:
- Aug 14: Candlelight marches in all districts at 8 p.m.
- Aug 22 – Sep 7: State-level rallies.
- From Sep 15: Month-long signature drive targeting five crore signatures.
The Congress hopes Gandhi’s yatra will energise its Bihar unit and build momentum ahead of the Assembly polls.
