Crowds turn out for ‘voter adhikar yatra’ in Bihar

The voter adhikar yatra (voter rights procession), which began from Sasaram in Rohtas district, has entered its third leg covering 15 districts so far, and has turned into a major crowd-puller.

Two main figures, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, have been drawing large gatherings and receiving loud applause at every stop.

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Wherever the procession passes, the leaders are meeting thousands of poor, backward and underprivileged citizens, many of whom gather in large numbers to catch a glimpse of them.

On Wednesday (August 27) morning, as the procession prepared to resume from Gangawara Mahavir Sthan in Darbhanga, a 50-km stretch of National Highway (NH) 27 turned into a rally ground with people assembled every few kilometres.

Posters, banners, cut-outs, and hoardings against ‘vote chori’‘(vote theft) were visible along the route. More than 1,000 tractors lined the roadside to welcome Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Yadav. Party workers stood atop JCB machines, showering rose and marigold petals. The most common slogan heard was “vote chor gaddi chhor” (vote thief leave the throne).

Leaders of the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc have been alleging that genuine voter names have been wrongly struck off the draft rolls while “ghost addresses” with hundreds of voters enrolled are being retained.

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As the procession moved through Kathalbari, Bela Mod, Bagh Mod, Old Bus Stand, Pili Masjid, Shighara Chowk and Bazar Samiti, it reached Gaighat in Muzaffarpur, where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was welcomed by Mr. Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Yadav, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani, and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya were seen riding on an open jeep, waving to the crowds. Mr. Gandhi allowed supporters to approach his vehicle and shake hands.

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At several points, Mr. Gandhi stepped down to meet passers-by and underprivileged citizens, some of whom shared their problems with him. The crowds, described as spontaneous, surged towards the convoy to get close. Mr. Gandhi was dressed in a white shirt and cap, while Mr. Yadav wore a colourful T-shirt with a gamcha around his neck.

The turnout included Muslims, Yadavs, Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), upper caste groups, youth, farmers and women teachers, many of whom walked long distances in the scorching heat and rain.

Hundreds of participants carried sattu (gram flour), onion, salt, and chilli to eat under trees along the way. At some places, local leaders distributed packets of puri, sabzi, rice, and dal, along with small water bottles.

“This massive momentum of the voter adhikar yatra has terrified the BJP and it is unable to respond to the groundswell support INDIA alliance is getting. This yatra is the perfect example of how Opposition leaders are fighting for people’s rights, against undemocratic forces, with complete unity of action and purpose,” Ram Naresh Yadav, a voter from Gaighat Assembly seat, said.

Mukesh Singh, a Congress supporter from Sakra, said, “People know very well that INDIA bloc is the only alliance that can deliver on employment, welfare and social justice. This is a battle against vote chori and the destruction of democracy.”

What has appealed to many supporters is the simplicity of the leaders. Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Yadav have been staying in canopy tents and containers with basic facilities instead of hotels. They have occasionally shared meals at gram panchayat venues.

On some occasions, the leaders have led the Yatra on motorcycles, stopping frequently to meet locals and listen to grievances. Public addresses are often delivered from the open jeep itself, rather than formal stages.

“The people are fed up with this double engine government led by Nitish Kumar who has failed to free Bihar of the dire situation. His government is only blaming past governments to cover up for their own incompetence. Till the time, he was with RJD, we were supporting him but now there is no chance at all. Not a single person from Muslim community will vote for Nitish Kumar and his allies who supported the Waqf Act,” said Mohammad Nishar Khan, a resident of Basdeopur, Darbhanga.

On Thursday, Mr. Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders resumed the Yatra from Sitamarhi after visiting the Janki temple, reiterating that the Opposition “will not allow a single vote to be stolen”.

The top leadership of the bloc has extended support to the Yatra. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav will join the Arrah-Siwan leg on August 30. On the concluding day, September 1, several leaders are expected to participate.

The Trinamool Congress is planning to send representatives, though it is not yet clear whether West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will attend. General secretaries of Left parties, including CPI(M)’s M.A. Baby and CPI’s D. Raja, are expected, as are NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray.

With additional input from Sobhana K. Nair