With an emphasis on alleged ‘vote theft,’ Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ is progressing through Bihar, with the journey reaching its third day in Nawada. The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha is scheduled to address two public gatherings today. The yatra, approximately 1300 kilometers long, seeks to shed light on the political landscape of Nawada and evaluate the strength of the Mahagathbandhan alliance.
The ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ was launched on Sunday, attended by Tejashwi Yadav, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, and other key figures from the ‘INDIA’ alliance. The Election Commission faced criticism during the launch. In a rally in Gaya, Rahul warned top Election Commission officials about potential repercussions should the ‘INDIA’ alliance form governments at the center and in Bihar, specifically referencing potential actions against the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners related to allegations of ‘vote theft.’
The core aim of the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ is to defend the sanctity of votes. Today’s itinerary includes two public meetings. The Congress party is leveraging this platform to assure the people of Bihar that their votes will be safeguarded. Spanning 16 days, the yatra will cover 20 districts, totaling a distance of 1,300 kilometers.
Nawada district, situated in southern Bihar, is one of the state’s 38 districts and is part of the Magadh division. It shares borders with Gaya, Sheikhpura, and Jamui within Bihar, and with Koderma and Giridih in Jharkhand. The Magadh division comprises Arwal, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Gaya, and Nawada.
The Mahagathbandhan is positioned strongly within the Magadh division. The division includes 26 assembly seats, where the Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal, holds a prominent position. The 2020 assembly elections saw the Mahagathbandhan secure 20 seats, compared to the NDA, led by the Janata Dal United, which secured only 6. The Mahagathbandhan’s performance in Nawada district, where Rahul Gandhi’s yatra is currently progressing, was exceptional.
Nawada, recognized as one of India’s most backward districts, saw the Mahagathbandhan win 4 out of 5 assembly seats, with the NDA winning only one. The NDA’s victory was in Warsaliganj, with BJP candidate Aruna Devi securing the win. The four other seats of Rajauli, Hisua, Nawada, and Gobindpur went to the Mahagathbandhan, with the RJD winning three of them.
Nawada has a historical connection to Sri Krishna Sinha. During the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra,’ Rahul Gandhi will pay his respects to Bihar’s first Chief Minister, Sri Krishna Sinha, at the Dr. Sri Krishna Sinha Chowk in Barbigha, Sheikhpura, and will also address a public meeting. Sri Krishna Sinha, a significant freedom fighter, was born in Khanwa, Nawada district. He served as the first Chief Minister of Bihar, remaining in office until 1961 and was known as Bihar Kesari and Sri Babu.
Sri Krishna Sinha came from the influential Bhumihar community. Rahul Gandhi is strategically targeting both Dalit and Muslim communities while also working to retain the support of Bhumihar voters. In the previous election, the Congress won one seat in Nawada district, with its ally RJD winning four seats. The Mahagathbandhan aims to maintain its previous electoral success, leveraging the yatra to strengthen its position in the district and to potentially dominate the Magadh division.