Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin joined Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, criticizing the Election Commission and the BJP while praising local leaders for their commitment to democracy.
Bihar: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M. K. Stalin participated in the Voter Adhikar Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, where he condemned the Election Commission for its recent voter roll deletions. He described the removal of 6.5 million Biharis from the voter list as a “massacre of democracy,” emphasizing that it is an affront to those born and living in their own land.
Stalin, who traveled over 2,000 kilometers to join the rally, addressed a public meeting alongside party MP Kanimozhi. He expressed his admiration for Bihar, stating, “When we say Bihar, the one who comes to everyone’s mind is the name of Lalu Prasad Yadav.” He praised Yadav as a symbol of social justice and secularism, recalling the close friendship between Yadav and the late DMK leader Kalaignar.
Stalin highlighted Yadav’s resilience in the face of political challenges, asserting, “Despite so many cases and threats, he did politics without fearing the BJP. Lalu Prasad Yadav stands tall today as one of India’s greatest political leaders.” He also commended Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu’s son, for his dedication to the political legacy of his father.
Reflecting on Bihar’s historical significance, Stalin remarked that the entire nation has been watching the state for the past month. He noted, “That is the strength of the people of Bihar. The strength of Rahul Gandhi. The strength of Tejashwi.” He recalled the legacy of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, who rallied for democracy and socialism, drawing parallels to the current efforts of Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav in their yatra.
The DMK leader emphasized the camaraderie between Gandhi and Tejashwi, stating, “Your friendship is not only political; it is the friendship of two brothers. You have come together to protect democracy—for the welfare of the people.” He expressed confidence that this alliance would lead to victory in the upcoming Bihar elections.
Stalin took a strong stance against the BJP, declaring, “The BJP’s treacherous politics is going to lose. Even before the election, your victory has already been decided.” He accused the ruling party of attempting to undermine the electoral process to prevent a fair vote, asserting that the Election Commission has become a “puppet” of the BJP.
He reiterated his condemnation of the voter roll deletions, asking, “To remove people born and living in their own land from the rolls, what could be more terror than that?” He criticized the BJP for trying to thwart the electoral success of Gandhi and Tejashwi through underhanded tactics.
Stalin praised Gandhi for his courage in exposing the alleged manipulations of the Election Commission, noting that the Chief Election Commissioner has demanded Gandhi file an affidavit and apologize. “Will Rahul Gandhi be afraid of these threats?” he asked the crowd, affirming Gandhi’s fearless approach to politics.
He accused the BJP of infringing upon the people’s right to vote, asserting that the public would ultimately reclaim their power. “That is what this gathering in Bihar shows,” he said, referencing the unity of opposition parties against the BJP’s dominance.
Stalin recalled the origins of the INDIA alliance in Patna, stating that it was here that the BJP’s perceived invincibility was challenged. He urged the people of Bihar to once again demonstrate that any form of dictatorship must yield to the power of the populace.
During the yatra, Gandhi also took the opportunity to criticize the BJP-led NDA government. He pointed to a media report alleging that anonymous parties in Gujarat received donations totaling Rs 4,300 crore between 2019 and 2024, questioning whether the Election Commission would investigate these claims.
In a pointed remark aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi recounted an incident during Operation Sindoor, where he alleged that Modi halted military actions under pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump. “Trump dialed PM Modi and said: ‘Listen… whatever you’re doing, stop it within 24 hours,’ and Narendra Modi stopped everything within five hours,” he stated.
The 16-day Voter Adhikar Yatra, which commenced on August 17 from Sasaram, is set to conclude with a pad yatra in Patna on September 1. The journey has covered over 1,300 kilometers across various districts in Bihar, with assembly elections approaching later this year.
As the yatra progresses, it continues to draw significant attention and participation, underscoring the political mobilization in Bihar ahead of the elections.
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