Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday led a major opposition protest in Patna, accusing the ruling BJP of deliberately manipulating the Bihar electoral roll revision to suppress voters and skew the upcoming election in its favour.

Flanked by senior leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) including Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul Gandhi addressed a massive gathering outside the Bihar Assembly, energising Opposition supporters and sending a clear signal of unity among anti-BJP forces in the state.

In his fiery speech, Gandhi declared:

“They are trying to steal not just your vote, but your future as well. This is not just an attack on Bihar’s democracy but on India’s soul.”

Protest Against Electoral Roll Revision

The core of the protest revolved around the recent revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls, which Opposition parties claim is being conducted with gross irregularities and political bias.

According to the Congress and RJD, large numbers of voters—especially from minority, Dalit, and economically weaker communities—have found their names missing or incorrectly entered.

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP-controlled administration is selectively purging voters who traditionally oppose the party while enrolling ghost voters in its strongholds.

Tejashwi Yadav backed the claims, calling the revision a blatant attempt at voter suppression:

“The people of Bihar will not allow the murder of democracy. We demand a transparent, fair, and inclusive voter list revision.”

A Show of Opposition Unity

The Patna rally became a show of strength for the united Opposition ahead of the crucial Bihar polls. Besides Congress and RJD, leaders from CPI(ML), CPI, and other smaller parties joined the protest, sharing the stage and the microphone.

This gathering is part of the broader INDIA bloc strategy, where Opposition parties are trying to coordinate protests and campaigns to defeat the BJP both at the state and national levels.

Posters at the venue carried slogans like Save Democracy, Save Bihar, while volunteers distributed pamphlets highlighting alleged instances of voter roll manipulation in several districts.

The Allegations in Detail

Congress and RJD presented data suggesting that in multiple urban and rural constituencies, entire families or local communities have been dropped from the rolls without explanation.

They allege that marginalised communities—particularly Muslims, Dalits, and OBCs—are being targeted because they form a significant share of the anti-BJP vote base.

Additionally, they claim that revision camps are not being held properly in many areas, and people are not being informed about how to verify or correct their entries.

Rahul Gandhi argued:

“If voters are denied their rights, elections become a fraud. We will not let Bihar become a laboratory of disenfranchisement.”

Administration’s Response

The Bihar Election Department has denied any political bias, saying that electoral roll revisions follow standard procedures under the Election Commission of India’s guidelines.

Officials claim that door-to-door verification is being carried out wherever needed and that any errors or omissions can be corrected through standard forms and hearings.

The State Chief Electoral Officer released a statement urging citizens to participate in the process and appealing to political parties to avoid spreading misinformation.

However, Opposition leaders have dismissed these assurances as lip service and insisted on an independent audit of the ongoing revision.

Political Stakes in Bihar

Bihar remains one of the most politically crucial states in India, sending 40 MPs to the Lok Sabha.

The upcoming state elections are seen as a bellwether for national politics, with the BJP keen to consolidate its gains while the Opposition aims to mount a serious challenge by forming a grand alliance.

Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Patna is part of the Congress strategy to rebuild its base in Bihar by aligning with regional partners and presenting a united anti-BJP front.

Tejashwi Yadav’s Role

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, widely seen as the face of the Opposition in Bihar, has emerged as a key ally for Congress.

During the protest, he accused the BJP of trying to “hijack the election before a single vote is cast”.

Tejashwi called for:

• Immediate halt to the ongoing revision until a bipartisan monitoring committee is formed

• Restoration of all wrongly deleted names

• Clear, accessible process for corrections

He also warned that the Opposition would intensify protests statewide if their demands were ignored.

Broader INDIA Bloc Strategy

The protest in Patna is part of the INDIA bloc’s larger plan to coordinate protests, rallies, and legal challenges wherever they see electoral malpractices.

Sources within the Opposition alliance say similar protests are being planned in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan in the coming weeks.

Rahul Gandhi reportedly told party workers:

“Our fight is not just electoral. It is a fight to protect India’s democracy, Constitution, and future generations.”

Historical Context of Voter Roll Controversies

Bihar has seen previous allegations of electoral roll tampering, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s when political battles were fierce and often marred by accusations of booth capturing and rigging.

While the Election Commission of India has implemented reforms over the years—like photo ID cards and electronic voting machines—critics argue that political manipulation at the local level remains a problem.

The current controversy taps into these long-standing fears, making it a potent rallying issue for Opposition parties.

Media and Public Reaction

News channels broadcast live footage of Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav marching with supporters, holding placards, and chanting slogans.

Social media was flooded with videos and posts from the protest, with hashtags like #SaveDemocracy, #BiharProtest, and #RahulInPatna trending nationally.

Supporters hailed the protest as courageous, while BJP leaders dismissed it as desperate theatrics by parties with shrinking vote shares.

Bihar’s urban voters, especially the youth, have shown mixed reactions. While many support clean, transparent elections, some remain sceptical of both sides’ claims and promises.

What Happens Next

The Opposition has submitted a memorandum to the Bihar Governor, demanding:

• Immediate suspension of the current revision process

• Formation of a cross-party oversight committee

• A public review of all deletion and addition orders

Congress leaders say they will take the issue to the Election Commission of India in Delhi, while RJD has threatened statewide roadblocks and mass rallies.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders have countered by accusing the Opposition of trying to polarise voters and undermine public trust in democratic institutions.

Conclusion

Rahul Gandhi’s protest in Patna, alongside allies like Tejashwi Yadav, has set the stage for a high-stakes political battle in Bihar.

By framing the electoral roll revision controversy as a fight for democracy itself, the Opposition is hoping to rally disaffected voters, project unity, and corner the BJP on questions of fairness and transparency.

Whether these protests succeed in forcing policy changes or reshaping public opinion remains to be seen, but they have undeniably made the electoral roll revision a central political issue in the run-up to Bihar’s crucial polls.

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