BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
Patna witnessed a charged political atmosphere on Friday as Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Prasad Yadav arrived to join Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav in their ongoing Voter Adhikar Yatra. The campaign, focused on protecting citizens’ right to vote, has been steadily gaining momentum across Bihar, and Akhilesh’s participation has added a fresh spark to the opposition’s offensive against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Addressing the media at Patna airport, Akhilesh Yadav declared that the BJP’s downfall in Bihar was inevitable. Drawing a parallel with Uttar Pradesh, he remarked, “We drove the BJP out of Awadh. Now, it will be driven out of Magadh.” The sharp remark underscored his confidence that Bihar’s electorate, like that of Uttar Pradesh, was ready to reject the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections.
The Voter Adhikar Yatra has become a rallying point for opposition parties, who accuse the Election Commission of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway in Bihar. Both Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav have repeatedly highlighted discrepancies, alleging that the BJP is attempting to manipulate the voter list to its advantage. Lending his support, Akhilesh said, “The Election Commission is no longer acting like a constitutional body. It has turned into a ‘Jugaad Aayog’ for the BJP government. But the people of Bihar will conduct their own SIR of the Election Commission.”
Akhilesh stressed that the right to vote is the cornerstone of democracy, and accused the BJP of trying to erode this fundamental right. “We will defend the Constitution at all costs. No one can dare take away the right to vote from the people. The Voter Adhikar Yatra is not just a campaign; it is a movement to protect democracy itself,” he asserted.
The SP chief also turned the spotlight on Bihar’s long-standing issue of migration. He argued that the state’s youth are forced to leave their homes due to a lack of local employment opportunities. Praising Tejashwi Yadav’s efforts as Deputy Chief Minister in the Grand Alliance government, Akhilesh said, “Tejashwi worked to create jobs, and the people have seen that. If given another chance, he will surely curb migration by generating employment in Bihar.”
Taking a direct swipe at the BJP’s political culture, Akhilesh accused the ruling party of using allies for its own benefit before discarding them. “This is a party that betrays its partners once its objectives are met. People are now aware of their tactics,” he said.
When asked about the use of abusive language against the Prime Minister during the Yatra in Darbhanga, Akhilesh brushed aside the controversy, instead drawing attention to the rhetoric of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. “Have you heard Yogi Adityanath? What kind of language does he use?” he countered.
With Bihar moving steadily toward elections, Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks signal a unified opposition strategy aimed at cornering the BJP on issues of democracy, employment, and governance. As the Voter Adhikar Yatra gathers strength, the political battleground of Bihar seems set for a fierce contest where the Constitution, the ballot, and the voice of the people will be at the heart of the debate.
