Stalin, Akhilesh, Soren Join Rahul-Tejashwi Yatra in Bihar

• Voter Adhikar Yatra launched on Aug 17 by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav.
• DMK’s M.K. Stalin and SP’s Akhilesh Yadav joined; Hemant Soren likely to follow.
• Finale scheduled in Patna on Sept 1 as Opposition’s show of unity.
• Congress terms march a fight against “vote theft”; BJP hits back.

GG News Bureau
Patna, 30th Aug: The ongoing Voter Adhikar Yatra, launched by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav on August 17, has gained momentum as leaders from multiple opposition parties continue to join the 16-day march across Bihar. Scheduled to conclude in Patna on September 1, the yatra is emerging as a high-profile show of strength for the INDIA bloc ahead of the Bihar assembly elections.

The march began in Sasaram and has already covered over a dozen districts including Gaya, Nawada, Darbhanga, and Purnea. According to Congress, the roadshow is a protest against alleged “vote theft” linked to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, has framed the yatra as a fight to protect democracy, caste equity, and the rights of marginalised communities.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin joined the yatra on August 27, followed by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Saran three days later. Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal confirmed that Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and other opposition leaders are also expected to join in the coming days. Their participation is being seen as a calculated move to appeal to Bihar’s diverse electorate.

Political observers note that Akhilesh Yadav’s presence resonates with Bihar’s sizeable Yadav voter base, while Hemant Soren’s expected entry could strengthen outreach to tribal and Scheduled Castes/Tribes communities. Stalin’s participation carries symbolic weight, from showing solidarity with migrant workers to shaping discourse on secular and social issues.

The BJP, however, has strongly criticised the march. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya objected to Stalin’s participation, accusing the DMK of insulting Bihar and Sanatan Dharma in the past. “Bihar is asking until when will it have to endure a new insult every day?” he said in a post on X.

In response, Congress hailed the participation of allies. K.C. Venugopal praised Akhilesh Yadav as a “steadfast ally” and “a voice for the underprivileged,” while social media was abuzz with photos of Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Tejashwi Yadav marching together. RJD’s Rohini Acharya, daughter of Lalu Prasad Yadav, also participated in the Saran leg of the yatra.

The Voter Adhikar Yatra is not just a campaign roadshow but also a calculated attempt by the INDIA bloc to mobilise voters ahead of the Bihar polls. The participation of top leaders from Congress, RJD, DMK, SP, and JMM is being viewed as a strategic step to strengthen opposition unity and challenge the BJP-led ruling coalition in the state.