Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav's 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' (Vote Rights Campaign) is set to begin in Bihar on August 17. This campaign will cover 23 districts, where voters will be educated about the importance of voting and alleged irregularities of the Election Commission.
Patna: Bihar politics is poised to take a new direction in August-September this year. Veteran opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and the state's young leader Tejashwi Yadav are taking to the field to raise awareness among voters in 23 districts of Bihar through the 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' starting August 17. This campaign will conclude in Patna on September 1, and during this time, both leaders will particularly emphasize voter rights, alleged irregularities of the Election Commission, and the importance of voting in a democracy.
Major Voter Awareness Campaign in Bihar
The aim of the 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' is to make voters in Bihar aware of their rights. This campaign is an attempt to send a b message against the alleged irregularities being leveled against the Election Commission. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav will jointly interact directly with voters in both rural and urban areas of Bihar.
Political analysts believe that this campaign is a strategic move towards strengthening the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) as well as for the upcoming elections in Bihar. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and Bihar Assembly elections, this initiative could prove helpful in mobilizing voters.
Campaign Outline and Key Programs
The campaign will begin on August 17 from Rohtas district. Following this, on August 18 in Aurangabad, August 19 in Gaya and Nalanda, August 21 in Sheikhpura and Lakhisarai, and August 22 in major districts like Munger and Bhagalpur, the Tejashwi-Rahul team will organize their meetings. In between, some days have also been kept as breaks so that the campaign can proceed smoothly.
On the final day of the campaign, September 1, a large rally will be organized in Patna, where both leaders will inspire the voters of Bihar to understand the importance of voting and to use their vote correctly.
Tejashwi Yadav's Jibe at the Central Government and Nitish Kumar
Along with the announcement of the campaign, Tejashwi Yadav also took a sharp dig at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the central government. He wrote on social media, "They may steal the idea, but where will they bring the vision from?" This statement by Tejashwi is a glimpse of his strategic politics, in which he portrays himself as a representative of a 'youth government' while calling the current government 'copycats'.
This statement reflects the Grand Alliance's resolve, in which they are claiming to bring a new government for change in Bihar. According to Tejashwi Yadav, his 'youth government' will give a new direction to development and democracy in Bihar.
The United Form of the Grand Alliance Included in the Campaign
Six parties of the Grand Alliance will actively participate in this 'Vote Adhikar Yatra'. Along with Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will also be present on the first day. This campaign was decided after a meeting at Rahul Gandhi's house in Delhi on August 7, but it was slightly delayed due to the passing away of Shibu Soren.
All parties of the Grand Alliance are considering this campaign as an opportunity to strengthen their hold in Bihar and to convey their ideology to the voters.
The Right to Vote and Strengthening Democracy
During the campaign, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav will make voters aware of the importance of voting. They will explain how the correct use of the vote strengthens democracy and why the transparency of institutions like the Election Commission is necessary.
This campaign regarding the right to vote will be helpful in increasing political participation in Bihar. Both leaders will also explain to the voters that their role in the election is not limited to just voting, but through it, they can also hold governments accountable.
Questions and Warnings to the Election Commission
A major objective of the campaign is to expose the alleged irregularities of the Election Commission. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav allege that the Election Commission has lost its impartiality many times, which has weakened democracy.
This issue can become an important topic of electoral politics in Bihar, as voters here have been raising questions about the credibility of the commission and the transparency of the election process. The 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' is an attempt to make the Election Commission accountable by raising awareness in this direction.
