Latest news with #VoterAdhikarRally
India.com
4 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
RSS Was Against The Freedom Of The Country: Mallikarjun Kharge Criticises PM Modis I-Day Remark
SASARAM: Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for praising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his speech on the 79th Independence Day, alleging that the organisation was opposed to India's freedom struggle. Kharge questioned the role of the RSS during the country's independence movement, asking how many of its members went to jail at the time. Addressing the 'Voter Adhikar Rally' in Sasaram, Kharge said, "All the people who fought for our freedom gave us the right to vote. Today, PM Modi is challenging that right from the Red Fort... The RSS was against the freedom of the country. They separated Mahatma Gandhi from his people... How many RSS people went to jail or were hanged?... If PM Modi is taking the names of such people from the Red Fort, then what would the souls of those who fought for our freedom be saying today?" He further warned that under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, people's democratic rights, votes, and even the Constitution are at risk. "He is a very dangerous man. Unless you remove him from power, your votes, rights, freedom, and even the Constitution will not remain safe," Kharge said. In the same rally, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav also accused the Election Commission and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to scam the people of Bihar by carrying out a "conspiracy" to cut the names of people from the voter list. "Narendra Modi is dead set on destroying the lives of the youth of Bihar. Modi makes the illiterate clap for him and does politics. But our politics is about providing jobs to everyone. Today, that is why we are here. Election Commission, Modi, Bihario ko choona lagana chahate hai (want to scam the people of Bihar). Do not think of Biharis as weak," Yadav said. The Congress has launched a massive 'Vote Adhikar Rally', starting from Sasaram in Bihar, targeting the Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the poll-bound state. The Opposition, also known as the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, has alleged that the SIR is an attempt to delete the names of legitimate voters from the electoral rolls.
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' starts from Sasaram in Bihar
PATNA: With Bihar gearing up for assembly elections, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is all set to launch 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram in Rohtas district on Sunday, to highlight the championing electoral reforms and exposing alleged in voter list through the special intensive revision (SIR). After landing at Sasaram, Rahul will visit Suara Aerodrome Ground near Sasaram, where he will address a public meeting and meet people from Tribal community. Later in the day, he will hold a roadshow at Dehri-on-Sone and start his 'Pad Yatra'. The 16-day Yatra, aimed at championing electoral reforms and exposing alleged in voter list through special intensive revision (SIR), will culminate in a grand rally in Patna on September 1. Leaders of INDIA bloc partners, including Tejashwi Prasad Yadav (RJD) and Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML), are expected to join the yatra. The Yatra will cover districts, including Gaya, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Katihar, Purnea, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, West Champaran, Saran, Bhojpur and Patna. On September 1, a mega Voter Adhikar Rally is scheduled to be held at Gandhi Maidan in the state capital, which will be attended by INDIA bloc leaders. Former Bihar Congress chief Alkhilesh Prasad Singh said that all necessary formalities like permission for landing of chopper and ground for public meeting have already been completed for the proposed 'Vote Adhikar Yatra'. Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member, said that the Yatra will build a tempo in favour of Opposition INDIA bloc ahead of assembly elections in Bihar scheduled to be held in October-November. The Opposition alleged that SIR launched by Election Commission led to deletion of names of 65 lakh electors in state. 'EC's special intensive revision is a deliberate design to tamper with votes, disproportionately affecting backward, Muslim communities and migrant workers,' said Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar. He further said that on August 18, Rahul will start pad yatra which will pass through Dev Road Amba in Kutumba assembly constituency, covering Aurangabad district. On Saturday, Rahul on X said, 'Sixteen days, 20-plus districts, 1,300-plus kilometres. We are coming among the people with voter rights yatra. This is the right to protect the most fundamental democratic right'-'one person, one vote'. Join us to save the Constitution.'
New Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' starts from Sasaram in Bihar on August 17
PATNA: With Bihar gearing up for assembly elections, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is all set to launch 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram in Rohtas district on Sunday, to highlight the championing electoral reforms and exposing alleged in voter list through the special intensive revision (SIR). After landing at Sasaram, Rahul will visit Suara Aerodrome Ground near Sasaram, where he will address a public meeting and meet people from Tribal community. Later in the day, he will hold a roadshow at Dehri-on-Sone and start his 'Pad Yatra'. The 16-day Yatra, aimed at championing electoral reforms and exposing alleged in voter list through special intensive revision (SIR), will culminate in a grand rally in Patna on September 1. Leaders of INDIA bloc partners, including Tejashwi Prasad Yadav (RJD) and Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML), are expected to join the yatra. The Yatra will cover districts, including Gaya, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Katihar, Purnea, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, West Champaran, Saran, Bhojpur and Patna. On September 1, a mega Voter Adhikar Rally is scheduled to be held at Gandhi Maidan in the state capital, which will be attended by INDIA bloc leaders. Former Bihar Congress chief Alkhilesh Prasad Singh said that all necessary formalities like permission for landing of chopper and ground for public meeting have already been completed for the proposed 'Vote Adhikar Yatra'. Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member, said that the Yatra will build a tempo in favour of Opposition INDIA bloc ahead of assembly elections in Bihar scheduled to be held in October-November. The Opposition alleged that SIR launched by Election Commission led to deletion of names of 65 lakh electors in state. 'EC's special intensive revision is a deliberate design to tamper with votes, disproportionately affecting backward, Muslim communities and migrant workers,' said Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar. He further said that on August 18, Rahul will start pad yatra which will pass through Dev Road Amba in Kutumba assembly constituency, covering Aurangabad district. On Saturday, Rahul on X said, 'Sixteen days, 20-plus districts, 1,300-plus kilometres. We are coming among the people with voter rights yatra. This is the right to protect the most fundamental democratic right'-'one person, one vote'. Join us to save the Constitution.'
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rahul Gandhi's ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra' against SIR begins in Bihar today
Amid the growing criticism over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter rolls, Congress leader and leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is all set to embark on his Voter Adhikar Yatra—a 16-day march aimed at championing electoral reforms and exposing alleged manipulations in the voter lists--from Dehri of the western Rohtas district from today. Rahul Gandhi himself has framed the Yatra as a 'direct fight against vote chori' (vote theft) from Bihar's soil, vowing to protect democracy. (PTI File) The Opposition alleges that the SIR process, which has reportedly deleted over 6.5 million names from the electoral rolls, is a deliberate design to tamper with votes, disproportionately affecting backward communities, minorities and migrant workers. The Yatra kicks off with a mega launch rally at Saura Aerodrome Ground near Dehri in Sasaram and will wind through Bihar's diverse terrains, culminating in a grand rally at Patna's historic Gandhi Maidan on September 1. On August 18, it proceeds with a padyatra through Dev Road Amba in Kutumba, covering the Aurangabad district. August 19 involves activities at Hanuman Mandir in Punama Wazirganj, focusing on Gaya and Nawada areas. August 20 is designated as a break day for rest and local interactions. On the fifth day of yatra (August 21), Rahul Gandhi will reach Teen Mohani Durga Mandir in Sheikhpura and enter Lakhisarai region. He will be at Chandan Bagh Chowk in Munger on August 22 to focus on electors of Bhagalpur division. On August 23, the Yatra will enter northeast Bihar at Kursela Chowk in Barari, Katihar. The yatra will cover Khushkibag from Katihar to Purnia, traversing the Purnia district, on August 24 (the eighth day). August 25 is another break day dedicated to strategy meetings. Also read: EC slams voter fraud allegations, says Oppn missed chance to raise objections On August 26, the Yatra arrives at Hussain Chowk in Supaul, part of the Madhubani division and the leader of the Opposition will interact with the local people at Gangwara Mahaveer Sthan in Darbhanga on the next day. On August 28, it features a padyatra along Riga Road in Sitamarhi district, followed by padyatra at Hariwatika Gandhi Chowk in Bettiah, covering West Champaran on the 12th day of yatra (August 29). On August 30, the yatra reaches Ekma Chowk in Ekma Assembly, Chapra, within Saran district, and concludes in Arrah. August 31 is a break day for preparations for the finale. Finally, on September 1, a mega Voter Adhikar Rally is scheduled to be held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, featuring INDIA bloc leaders. 'This Yatra will give a new dimension to electoral politics in the country,' said a senior Congress leader Kishore Kumar Jha, stressing its potential to mobilise masses for transparency in elections. 'The excitement is amplified by the INDIA bloc's stellar performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where alliance candidates secured victories in nearly all seats in Bihar where Rahul Gandhi visited during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. With the bloc clinching 234 seats nationwide against the NDA's 292, this yatra is seen as a continuation of that momentum, targeting the 40% youth voter base in Bihar who feel disillusioned by the NDA government. Rahul Gandhi himself has framed the Yatra as a 'direct fight against vote chori' (vote theft) from Bihar's soil, vowing to protect democracy. Joined by key allies like RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, left parties leaders including Dipankar Bhattacharya, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and other INDIA bloc figures including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the march will cover over 1,300 kms across more than 20 districts. It will feature public meetings, padyatras, and hybrid rallies to highlight issues like fake voter registrations and the need for electoral integrity. The slogan 'Ab ki baar, vote choron ki haar' (This time, defeat for vote thieves) encapsulates the campaign's aggressive tone. Ahead of the Yatra, the Rohtas district administration is meticulously focusing on four key points to grant permission for Rahul Gandhi's public meeting and cadre interaction camp at Suara aerodrome ground near Dehri on August 17. District Magistrate (DM) Udita Singh and Superintendent of Police (SP) Roshan Kumar have also held a meeting to ensure foolproof arrangement for the yatra. AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, who reviewed preparations in Sasaram, confirmed the Yatra's route—beginning with the mega launch in Rohtas on August 17, passing through Gaya, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia, Madhubani, Darbhanga and West Champaran, before concluding in Ara on August 30, followed by the grand rally. Bihar's deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary has termed the Yatra a ploy to mislead the voters ahead of the polls. He also accused the Congress and its alliance partners of undermining the credibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI). He said that the SIR of the voter lists is a transparent process, aimed at ensuring electoral integrity, and the Opposition's campaign is merely a tactic to deflect from their weak electoral prospects. The DyCM further said that people of Bihar fully trusted the leadership of chief minister Nitish Kumar, and would reject the Congress' decisive politics, predicting a resounding victory for the NDA in the upcoming polls. Janata Dal (United) national spokesman Rajiv Ranjan Prasad slammed the Voters Adhikar Rally, describing it as a deliberate attempt by Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc to unleash chaos ahead of the Bihar assembly elections. He argued that the rally would fail to expand the Opposition's electoral base. He hoped that the Nitish Kumar-led NDA will sweep the upcoming assembly polls in the state.
