As Bihar gears up for its assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi has launched a ‘Voter Rights Yatra,’ beginning in Sasaram and moving on to Gaya. The yatra, which started on Sunday, is aimed at highlighting alleged discrepancies in the electoral process. In Gaya, the itinerary includes a visit to the Surya Dev temple and a public gathering in the evening, with an overnight stay planned at Rasalpur Cricket Ground.
The yatra sees the participation of prominent figures from the ‘INDIA’ alliance, including Tejashwi Yadav. A key goal of the yatra is to rebuild Congress’s voter base, which has dwindled in the last three decades. The Congress is now a secondary force in Bihar politics, working alongside the Rashtriya Janata Dal-led Grand Alliance. The last elections saw the Congress contesting 70 seats and winning 19, significantly less than the RJD’s 75 wins from 144 seats.
The ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ is designed to traverse 20 districts over 16 days, covering a distance of 1,300 kilometers. This journey is viewed as an opportunity for the Congress to rejuvenate its connection with voters, particularly amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
The yatra route includes a range of cities, such as Aurangabad, Gaya Ji, Nawada, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Chhapra, and Arrah, culminating in a ‘Voter Rights Rally’ in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on September 1. This rally is expected to bring together several national leaders from the INDIA alliance.
Rahul Gandhi has carefully planned the route, starting from Sasaram, which is historically a Dalit stronghold. This area is also known for the legacy of Babu Jagjivan Ram and his daughter Meira Kumar.
The core focus of the yatra is to unite Dalit and Muslim voters, historically strong supporters of the Congress, with efforts from Rahul and Tejashwi Yadav. Rahul Gandhi’s focus on Dalit voters during his numerous visits to Bihar in the election year is a key part of his strategy.
The yatra is focused on the Gaya district, a significant area for the Grand Alliance. The district holds 10 assembly seats, with the 2020 elections showing a split, with the NDA and the Grand Alliance each winning 5 seats.
The election results in neighboring regions like Aurangabad, Nalanda, and Newada show varied outcomes. The Grand Alliance won all six seats in Aurangabad, but saw a less successful result in Nalanda and Newada.
The 1990s marked a 24.78% voter share for Congress in Bihar, which decreased over time. Despite a small increase in 2020, the Congress vote share remained at 9.48%. Rahul Gandhi’s initiatives, including rallies and the appointment of Dalit leaders, highlight the party’s focus on Dalit communities, reflecting the party’s efforts to win back traditional voters. The impact of these efforts will be determined by the Bihar voters.
