Can Congress Leaders Protect Democracy with 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Campaign Timeline: 16 days of travel across Bihar.
- Distance Covered: 1,300 kilometers across 20 districts.
- Focus on Voter Rights: Educating citizens about their electoral rights.
- Mobilization of Citizens: Encouraging participation in defending democracy.
- Addressing Electoral Manipulation: Highlighting issues related to vote theft.
Patna, Aug 17 (NationPress) As the INDIA bloc's 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' commenced in Sasaram, Bihar on Sunday, the Congress emphasized the campaign's role in fortifying the fight to protect democracy and the Constitution.
During the launch, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the BJP and the Election Commission of vote theft.
He asserted that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar represented their latest scheme to manipulate elections by altering votes.
Gandhi insisted that the INDIA bloc and the citizens of Bihar would not allow this vote theft to happen.
Inspired by Gandhi's previous initiatives, such as the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, this campaign will span 1,300 km across 20 districts, covering 50 Assembly segments in 29 Lok Sabha constituencies.
Participants will engage in both walking and vehicular travel throughout the 16-day journey.
Former Congress MP Rashid Alvi characterized the march as a stand against the injustice faced by 65 lakh voters in Bihar.
Alvi stated, "This is a major battle. The deletion of votes by the ECI represents a severe assault on our nation's democracy. Rahul Gandhi is advocating for justice for the voters. This struggle transcends the Congress party; all citizens should unite in this cause. It's a mission to defend democracy."
He further criticized the Election Commission of India, saying: "The Election Commission claims the opposition has squandered its time. What does this imply? It suggests that the Election Commission has succumbed to the powers that be."
Congress MP Tariq Anwar also mentioned that the march would illuminate the threats to the Constitution and the core values of democracy.
In an interview with IANS, Anwar stated: "Through this journey, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav aim to inform voters about their rights and motivate them to exercise their voting power responsibly. They intend to raise awareness regarding the assaults on our democracy and the Constitution."
"This yatra will endure for 16 days and traverse 20 districts, covering approximately 1,300 kilometers," he added.