‘Earlier, people didn’t know votes were being stolen; now they do’: Rahul Gandhi flags off ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar | WATCH

Sasaram: Launching a fierce attack on the Election Commission and the BJP, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that while earlier the public was unaware of how votes were being manipulated, they now fully understand the “vote theft” happening across the country and this time, he warned, the people of Bihar will not let it happen.

Addressing a large crowd at BIADA Ground in Sasaram, where his 1,300-km 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' was officially launched, Gandhi said, "The entire country knows what the Election Commission is doing. Earlier, the country did not know how votes were being stolen. But we made it clear in the press conference how votes are being stolen. Now will will not let them do it."

In the event attended by key INDIA bloc leaders including RJD's Tejashwi Yadav and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Gandhi claimed that both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections were being "stolen" through manipulation of electoral rolls and that Bihar was now the latest target under a fresh "conspiracy".

"I am telling you from this stage that Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections are being stolen in the entire country. Their latest conspiracy is to conduct SIR in Bihar and steal the Bihar elections as well. All of us have come to this stage to tell you that we will not let them steal this election.We will not let them steal the election in Bihar. People of Bihar will not let them steal elections,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi framed the yatra as part of a larger battle to protect the Constitution and democratic rights. He accused the BJP and the RSS of trying to destroy the country’s constitutional values, saying that the right to vote especially for the poor and marginalised is under attack.

"This is a fight to save the Constitution," Gandhi said, repeating that the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' is about standing up for the principle of ‘one person, one vote’.

What is the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' all about?

The campaign, which will travel across more than 20 districts in Bihar over 16 days, is being conducted in a hybrid format partly on foot and partly by vehicle similar to Gandhi’s earlier Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that went from Manipur to Mumbai ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The yatra will cover key regions including Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnea, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Chapra and Ara. 

The yatra will conclude with a rally in Patna on September 1.

On Saturday, ahead of the yatra, Gandhi posted in Hindi on X: “16 days, 20+ districts, 1,300+ km. We are coming among the people with the Voter Adhikar Yatra. This is a fight to protect the most basic democratic right - 'one person, one vote'”

With assembly elections just three months away, the yatra marks a high-stakes push by the Congress and its allies to build public pressure and voter awareness, especially around alleged irregularities in the voter lists.