Rahul leads INDIA bloc rally in Bihar, hits out at BJP, ECI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for undermining the Constitution and accused it of resorting to malpractices to secure electoral victories, as he led the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ of the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc in poll-bound Bihar.

- Subhash Pathak and Prasun K Mishra

Gandhi, along with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and other leaders of INDIA bloc, including CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and VIP's Mukesh Sahani, launched the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ against “vote theft” from Sasaram in Rohtas district. The ambitious 1,300-km yatra will cover 25 districts in 16 days in a hybrid mode, on foot and by vehicle, and culminate with a grand rally in Patna on September 1.

“The BJP employs dubious methods, including voter suppression and manipulation of voter lists through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, to disenfranchise millions. The Constitution is under threat,” Gandhi said, urging the public to unite against the NDA.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and RJD chief Lalu Prasad also attended the inaugural event at Saura airfield ground.