Rahul Gandhi Calls Bihar SIR A 'Conspiracy', Alleges Poll Body 'Stealing' Elections

Last Updated:August 17, 2025, 14:51 IST

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi vowed that the INDIA bloc would resist what he described as a conspiracy to subvert the mandate.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi | File Image

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the Election Commission of “stealing" elections in collusion with the BJP, claiming that attempts were underway to manipulate the Bihar Assembly polls through voter additions and deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

He vowed that the INDIA bloc would resist what he described as a conspiracy to subvert the mandate.

Speaking at the launch of his 1,300-km Voter Adhikar Yatra from Sasaram, which will cover more than 20 districts in Bihar, Gandhi said, “In the whole country, Assembly and Lok Sabha elections are being stolen and their last conspiracy is to delete and add voters through SIR to steal the elections in Bihar."

He alleged differential treatment by authorities, pointing out that he was asked to submit an affidavit after holding a press conference on “vote chori", while no such demand was made from BJP leaders after their media interactions.

“We will not let them steal the election in Bihar. People of Bihar will not let them steal elections. Poor only have the power of vote and will not let them steal polls," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

Asserting that his earlier press conference had exposed the modus operandi of “vote chori", Gandhi said, “The whole country now knows what the EC is doing and how it is carrying out this theft."

He framed the issue as a battle to safeguard the Constitution, alleging, “In the whole of India, the RSS and BJP are trying to destroy the Constitution."

Recalling recent poll outcomes, Gandhi said, “In every election BJP wins. In Maharashtra all opinion polls said the INDIA bloc will win. In the Lok Sabha, our alliance had won but after four months in same Maharashtra, BJP alliance swept the polls as one crore voters were added and wherever such additions happened BJP won."

He further claimed that in one assembly segment, Congress had shown evidence of over one lakh votes being stolen, tipping the scales in BJP’s favour.

The yatra launch drew top opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Bihar Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, VIP leader Mukesh Sahani, CPI(ML) Liberation’s Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI(M)’s Subhashini Ali and CPI’s P Sandosh Kumar.

The 16-day campaign will culminate in a rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on September 1.

In a post on X ahead of the launch, Gandhi wrote in Hindi: “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’. Join us in Bihar to save the Constitution."

The march will be held in a hybrid mode — partly on foot and partly by vehicle — similar to Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur to Mumbai earlier this year.

The route will pass through Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnea, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Chapra and Ara.

Location :

Bihar Sharif, India, India

First Published:

August 17, 2025, 14:51 IST

News india Rahul Gandhi Calls Bihar SIR A 'Conspiracy', Alleges Poll Body 'Stealing' Elections

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