Rahul to Launch Bihar Yatra Against ‘Vote Chori’

New Delhi: Launching a scathing attack over alleged “vote chori” (vote theft), Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said his party is “waging a direct fight against vote chori” from the soil of Bihar through the Voter Adhikar Yatra, and asserted that the Congress will ensure a clean voters’ list across the country.

Gandhi said “vote chori” is not just an election issue but a “decisive battle” to protect democracy, the Constitution, and the principle of “one man, one vote.”

In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, “From August 17, with Voter Adhikar Yatra, we are waging a direct fight against vote theft from the soil of Bihar. This is not just an election issue — it is a decisive battle to protect democracy, the Constitution, and the principle of ‘one man, one vote.’”

He added, “We will ensure a clean voter list across the country. Youth, workers, farmers — every citizen, rise up and join this mass movement. This time, the defeat of vote thieves — victory of the people, victory of the Constitution.”

The former Congress president also shared a video montage on the yatra, featuring visuals from his earlier Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that had passed through Bihar. In a video message, Gandhi urged, “We, along with the youth of Bihar, will come out and stop vote chori. All the youth of Bihar must align with us to protect the Constitution.”

Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal said that to save people’s vote, the Constitution, and democracy, Rahul Gandhi — along with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and other Mahagathbandhan leaders — will embark on the Voter Adhikar Yatra across Bihar.

The Congress had announced on Wednesday that the yatra will begin on August 17 against the revision of electoral rolls and to turn the “battle against vote chori” into a mass movement. It will culminate on September 1 with a rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan. The party also organised Loktantra Bachao Mashaal Marches on the evening of August 14.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday hit back, saying that instead of creating a false narrative using “dirty phrases” like vote chori, proof should be provided.

In a statement, the EC said the “one person, one vote” law has been in existence since India’s first elections in 1951–1952. “If anyone has any proof of any person actually voting twice in any election, it should be shared with the ECI along with a written affidavit rather than branding all the electors of India as ‘chor’ without any proof,” it said.

The poll authority added that attempting to create a false narrative by using such terms is “not only a direct attack on the crores of Indian electors but also an assault on the integrity of lakhs of election staff.”