Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav Ride Through Bihar in ‘Voter Rights Yatra’, Slam BJP Over Voter Irregularities

Araria, Bihar – Aug 2025 — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav drew massive crowds on Sunday as they rode motorcycles through the streets of Araria in Bihar’s Purnia district during the ongoing ‘Voter Rights Yatra’. The yatra, a 1,300-km journey that began from Sasaram on August 17, is scheduled to cover more than 20 districts over 16 days and will culminate in a grand rally in Patna on September 1.

Massive Response in Araria

As the yatra entered Araria, residents lined up along the roads, cheering and waving as Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Yadav rode through the city. The sight of the two opposition leaders on motorcycles quickly went viral on social media, underscoring the campaign’s appeal among youth and rural communities.

Strong Attack on BJP

A day earlier, while addressing a rally in Katihar, Rahul Gandhi accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating efforts to manipulate elections. He alleged that the party’s control over institutions had “closed the doors of opportunity” for the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and women.

“The BJP and RSS believe that Dalits should not be emancipated, that the most backward classes must not be allowed to rise, and that women should not be given more freedom. They are hell-bent on destroying the Constitution,” Gandhi declared, drawing loud applause from supporters.

Gandhi also expressed outrage over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. He accused the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP to delete lakhs of names from electoral rolls. “There is a nexus between the Election Commission, the Election Commissioner, and the BJP. That is why the BJP never complains about deleted votes,” he claimed.

Light-Hearted Moments Amid Politics

Despite the charged political atmosphere, Gandhi and Yadav shared lighter moments during a media interaction. When asked about Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader and Union Minister Chirag Paswan, Tejashwi Yadav remarked, “People aren’t even asking about him these days. But Chirag is like an elder brother to me, and I would definitely advise him to get married soon.”

Rahul Gandhi, sitting beside him, smiled and quipped that the advice applied to him as well. He recalled how RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has often teased him about marriage, a topic that continues to spark speculation. The exchange drew laughter and highlighted the camaraderie between the two leaders.

Building Momentum Ahead of Elections

The ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ comes at a politically sensitive time in Bihar, with assembly elections looming. The campaign seeks to highlight issues of electoral fairness, social justice, and the protection of constitutional values, while also projecting the Gandhi-Yadav partnership as a united opposition front against the BJP.

As the journey advances toward its Patna finale, the massive turnouts suggest that the opposition is gaining traction. Both leaders are expected to intensify their attacks on the government, while also using humor and personal anecdotes to connect with voters at a grassroots level.