Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and DMK MP Kanimozhi joined the Congress-led ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ alongside Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district on Wednesday, lending support to the Opposition’s growing campaign against the Election Commission’s recent revision of electoral rolls in the state. Stalin was welcomed upon arrival by RJD patriarch and former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Taking to social media platform “X”, MK Stalin expressed solidarity with the people of Bihar. “Touchdown Bihar. The land of respected Lalu Prasad Ji greets me with fire in its eyes, the soil heavy with every stolen vote,” he wrote. “Joined by my brothers Rahul Gandhi Jee, Tejashwi Yadav and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' turns people's pain into unstoppable strength.”
Stalin strongly criticised the Election Commission, accusing it of acting under the influence of the BJP. He labelled the alleged deletion of voter names from the electoral rolls as nothing short of an “act of terrorism.” “The BJP has made elections a mockery. People will remove it from power as it has stolen votes. The Election Commission is acting like a puppet of the BJP,” he added.
Referring to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing charges against the Election Commission, Stalin said the poll body had failed to respond meaningfully. “Rahul has exposed the Election Commission, but the panel has not responded. Instead, it asks for affidavits. But he won’t be scared,” said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
The 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' is a 16-day, 1,300-kilometre march through 20 districts of Bihar, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. The campaign began on 17 August from Sasaram and is set to conclude in Patna on 1 September with a large public rally.
According to Opposition parties, the recent voter list revision by the Election Commission has led to the deletion of over 65 lakh names, a move they allege is politically motivated and designed to manipulate the electoral outcome in the BJP’s favour.
As part of Wednesday’s leg of the yatra, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav were seen riding motorcycles through the streets of Muzaffarpur, engaging directly with local residents. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined them, seen riding pillion on Rahul Gandhi’s bike.
