DK Shivakumar Hails Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ as a Game Changer in Bihar

Araria, Aug 2025 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday joined the ongoing Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, organised to protest alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Addressing supporters in Araria, Shivakumar described the visit of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi as a “game changer” for the state.

“Rahul Gandhi’s visit is going to bring a significant change for Bihar. People now have a chance to understand the issues and make their voices heard,” Shivakumar said. The Congress leader, accompanied by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Tejashwi Yadav, resumed the yatra in Bihar’s Purnia district on its eighth day, riding motorcycles through several key locations including Panchmukhi Mandir, Forbesganj Road, Hope Hospital Chowk, Rambagh, Kasba Bazaar, and Zero Mile before reaching Araria.

Rahul Gandhi was also joined by CPI (ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and Vikassheel Insaan Party founder Mukesh Sahni. The 16-day, 1,300-km-long yatra covers 20 districts and aims to highlight alleged voter list manipulations by the BJP, which opposition parties claim is an attempt to suppress the voice of the poor.

Addressing the gathering in Katihar on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of misusing institutions and media to serve its own interests while marginalising common citizens. Raising the slogan “Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod”, he urged people to remain vigilant against attempts to steal votes. “This is not your media. Watch TV in the evening—you will not see this slogan, nor this crowd of laborers and farmers. We must not allow votes to be stolen,” he said.

Tejashwi Yadav also criticised the BJP-led central government over alleged corruption. “Officials and the ruling government have already taken ₹4,000 crore only for making residential and caste certificates. This money is being used to influence elections. That is why corruption continues to rise,” Yadav said, promising to work towards a corruption-free and crime-free government if given the mandate.

The yatra, which began on August 17 from Sasaram, will conclude in Patna on September 1, ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections later this year, for which the Election Commission has yet to announce the schedule. Opposition parties are using this campaign to raise awareness among voters about alleged irregularities in the SIR process and mobilise public sentiment ahead of the polls.

By drawing attention to alleged electoral malpractices and engaging directly with citizens, the Voter Adhikar Yatra aims to energise opposition support across the state and make electoral accountability a central issue in Bihar’s forthcoming elections.