Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav Pray at Janki Mandir Ahead of Yatra

Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav offered prayers at the historic Janki Mandir in Sitamarhi, Bihar, on Thursday. Their visit occurred on the eve of the resumption of the Voter Adhikar Yatra, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about electoral issues in the state. The Bihar Congress chief, Rajesh Kumar, accompanied them and emphasized the purpose of their prayers, stating, “We have come here to pray for the welfare of the people… May the country and the state of Bihar progress,” as reported by ANI.

The Voter Adhikar Yatra, which aims to address alleged irregularities in the voter list, will cover over 1,300 kilometers across 20 districts. The journey will conclude in Patna on September 1. Today, the Yatra will travel from Gangwara Mahaveer Sthan to Sitamarhi via Muzaffarpur. This initiative aligns with the opposition’s strategy ahead of the Bihar elections, where they are focused on unseating the current ruling party, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party, is also expected to join the Yatra. The opposition, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, is determined to challenge the NDA’s hold on power in Bihar. In a pointed remark, Tejashwi Yadav criticized the NDA, suggesting that its name stands for “Nahi Denge Adhikar,” which translates to “We will not give rights.” He asserted that the NDA will face defeat in the upcoming elections, claiming, “People are supporting us. The way ‘vote chori’ is occurring, the public is aware and will protect their votes. BJP-NDA will fail in the upcoming elections.”

As the political landscape heats up, the NDA, which consists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), aims to secure another term in the Bihar Assembly. Currently, the NDA holds 131 of the 243 seats, with the BJP possessing 80 seats, JD(U) 45, and the remaining seats held by allies and independents. In contrast, the opposition’s INDIA bloc, which includes the RJD, Congress, and left parties, commands 111 seats, led by the RJD with 77 MLAs.

The Voter Adhikar Yatra not only signifies a campaign for electoral rights but also reflects the broader political strategies of the opposition as they seek to galvanize support among the electorate. As the elections approach, the focus on voter engagement and electoral integrity will likely intensify, shaping the future of Bihar’s political landscape.