Rahul Gandhi Sparks Big Debate in Bihar Over Votes, Ration, and Land

Rahul Gandhi, duringthe  Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, Says EC and BJP Plan Threatens Voter Security and People’s Ration Rights

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has made a fresh attack during his Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar on August 19, 2025. Speaking to large crowds, he said that the Election Commission and the BJP are working together to remove the names of voters from the list. Gandhi claimed that around 65 lakh names have already been cut in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Gandhi Warns of Losing More than Votes

He warned people in Bihar that this was not just about votes. According to him, if voting rights go, then ration cards and land rights could also be taken away. He told the crowd that in today’s India, the poor only have their vote left as power, and losing it could put everything at risk.

Gandhi repeated that the last Bihar election was “stolen” and one day the truth would be known. He also accused the EC of refusing to share a clear and machine-readable voter list with Congress. He said the EC is avoiding answers and only asking for affidavits instead.

During a stop in Nawada, Rahul Gandhi invited a local man named Subodh Kumar to speak. Kumar said that his name had been deleted even though he had voted before. However, the Election Commission soon denied this claim and said Kumar’s name was never part of the rolls. Later, a woman who had also said her family’s names were deleted admitted her names were still present.

Election Commission’s Response and Yatra Momentum

The Election Commission has hit back strongly. The Chief Election Commissioner has asked Gandhi to either provide voter ID numbers as proof or submit an affidavit within seven days. He has stated that Gandhi should apologize to the people of India if his claims turn out to be false. The EC has also released the list of 65 lakh deleted names from Bihar, saying the move was done to remove duplicates and ineligible voters, and published it district-wise within 56 hours to ensure transparency.

Despite this, Gandhi’s yatra is gaining attention across Bihar. Supporters have been lining the streets, and local leaders of the INDIA bloc, including RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, have joined him. They say the fight is not only about votes but also about saving jobs, ration, and land for ordinary families. Gandhi linked the issue to big business houses, saying land could be handed to billionaires if voter rights are lost.

The journey, which started from Sasaram, will pass through several districts of Bihar. Gandhi says it will continue to highlight the importance of voter rights and how they connect with everyday life and democracy.