Rahul Tejashwi Yatra : Voter Rights March Reaches Day 13 in Bihar

The grand opposition alliance’s Voter Rights Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav entered its 13th day on Friday, 29 August 2025. The yatra, which began in Bettiah, is moving through Gopalganj during the day and will reach Siwan by evening. The march has become a major political event in Bihar as the state gears up for the upcoming assembly elections.

Rahul Gandhi Begins the Day from Bettiah

Rahul Gandhi started the 13th day of his Voter Rights Yatra at 8:40 a.m. from Kudiya Kothi near Bettiah. His convoy first reached Hari Vatika, where he paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by garlanding his statue. The symbolic gesture emphasized his call for protecting democracy, equality, and voting rights.

Accompanying him were former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, VIP party president Mukesh Sahni, CPI-ML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram, and other senior leaders of the Mahagathbandhan. The presence of these leaders underlined the unity of the opposition alliance.

Crowds gathered on both sides of the road to witness Rahul and Tejashwi. Supporters waved party flags, shouted slogans, and welcomed the leaders with enthusiasm. Traveling in an open jeep, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav greeted the people, reflecting the mass connect strategy of the opposition.

22-Kilometer Long Roadshow in Bettiah

After garlanding Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav began a 22-kilometer long roadshow from Bettiah. The yatra passed through several key locations including Moharram Chowk, Ajanta Cinema, Sagar Pokhara Chowk, Imli Chowk, Nautan-Gopalganj Road, Baghi Khadda, Thana Chowk, Nautan Bazaar, and Mangalpur Dhala before heading towards Gopalganj.

The entire stretch was lined with supporters, students, farmers, and local residents. Many had been waiting since early morning to catch a glimpse of the leaders. The Voter Rights Yatra in Bettiah turned into a festival-like atmosphere, with slogans against the ruling party and appeals for safeguarding democratic rights echoing in the air.

On Thursday, the yatra had moved from Sitamarhi through East Champaran before reaching West Champaran. Leaders stayed overnight at Kudiya Kothi in Bettiah before resuming the march early Friday.

Program Change: Night Halt in Ekma Instead of Daraunda

The initial schedule had planned for the yatra to halt in Daraunda, Siwan district, on Friday night. However, the program was slightly altered. Instead, Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and other alliance leaders will spend the night in Ekma, Saran district.

The yatra is expected to reach Ekma around 7:30 p.m. where arrangements have been made for the leaders and party workers. The sudden change in schedule reflects the dynamic nature of the yatra, with adjustments being made to cover maximum ground and ensure people’s participation across districts.

BJP Criticism and Political Reactions

The Voter Rights Yatra has already sparked sharp political reactions. The BJP has strongly criticized the speeches made during the march. Party leaders alleged that Rahul Gandhi and RJD leaders are using the platform to abuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of addressing developmental issues.

In response, Mahagathbandhan leaders argue that the purpose of the march is to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. They accuse the ruling party of manipulating electoral rolls and depriving citizens of their voting rights. Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly attacked the central government, claiming that the BJP’s so-called Gujarat Model is not about development but about “stealing votes.”

These sharp exchanges are setting the tone for the Bihar assembly elections, where the battle is expected to be intense between the BJP-led NDA and the opposition alliance.

Upcoming Schedule: Chhapra to Ara with a Public Meeting

On Saturday, 30 August 2025, Rahul Gandhi’s yatra will resume at 8 a.m. from Ekma in Saran district. The convoy will move through various routes in Chhapra before reaching Bhojpur district. A large public meeting has been scheduled in Ara, where Rahul Gandhi is expected to address thousands of supporters.

According to alliance sources, Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav may also join the yatra in Ara. His participation will further strengthen the opposition’s show of unity at the national level.

The Symbolism of the Yatra

The Voter Rights Yatra has been strategically designed to highlight issues of democracy, representation, and electoral fairness. By garlanding Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Bettiah, Rahul Gandhi emphasized the symbolic fight for people’s rights. By moving through rural markets, busy chowks, and town centers, the alliance leaders are making direct contact with voters.

The choice of districts such as Bettiah, Gopalganj, and Siwan is significant because these areas hold historical and political importance in Bihar. They also represent a mix of caste, community, and economic diversity, making them crucial battlegrounds in the upcoming polls.

People’s Response to the Yatra

The yatra has received an enthusiastic response so far. Locals across Bettiah, Gopalganj, and Siwan districts have turned out in large numbers to welcome the leaders. Farmers, students, women, and youth have actively participated, reflecting widespread interest in the opposition campaign.

For many residents, the presence of Rahul Gandhi alongside Tejashwi Yadav symbolizes the combined strength of Congress and RJD, the two largest opposition parties in Bihar. Supporters believe the unity of opposition forces can challenge the dominance of the BJP in the state.

Political Significance Ahead of Bihar Elections

The Bihar assembly election campaign is heating up, and the Voter Rights Yatra has emerged as a centerpiece of the opposition’s strategy. By traveling across districts and addressing local grievances, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are attempting to mobilize ground support.

Political analysts suggest that this yatra is not just about electoral rolls but also about energizing the alliance cadre. The presence of leaders like Mukesh Sahni and Dipankar Bhattacharya shows that the Mahagathbandhan is aiming to consolidate a wide spectrum of voter bases, including marginalized communities and the left-leaning electorate.

Meanwhile, the BJP is countering the opposition narrative by highlighting its development works in Bihar. The ruling party is also focusing on welfare schemes and infrastructure projects to appeal to voters.

As the Voter Rights Yatra continues its journey, Bihar’s political atmosphere is becoming increasingly charged. The opposition alliance is using the platform to project unity, while the BJP is attempting to dismiss the march as a political stunt.

With key districts like Chhapra and Ara on the agenda, the coming days will be crucial. If Akhilesh Yadav joins the march in Ara, the alliance could send a strong message of national-level opposition solidarity.

The 13th day of the Rahul Tejashwi Yatra in Bettiah, Gopalganj, and Siwan has already drawn massive crowds, showing that the road to Bihar elections will be fought intensely on the streets as much as in political debates.