Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra,’ a protest against alleged ‘vote theft,’ is making its way through Bihar. The yatra, spanning approximately 1300 kilometers, reached Nawada today, the third day of the journey. The Congress leader aims to address public gatherings in the district, shedding light on the political dynamics of Nawada and assessing the strength of the Mahagathbandhan coalition.
The ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ commenced on Sunday with the participation of key figures like Tejashwi Yadav, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, and other ‘INDIA’ alliance leaders. The Election Commission was a major target of criticism. Rahul, in a Gaya rally, warned the Election Commission officials about potential repercussions if the ‘INDIA’ alliance secured power in Bihar and at the center, specifically highlighting possible action against the Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners over alleged ‘vote theft.’
The primary objective of the yatra is to safeguard votes. Today’s itinerary includes two public meetings. The Congress is using the platform to assure the people of Bihar that their votes will be protected. The yatra, scheduled to last 16 days, will traverse 20 districts and cover 1,300 kilometers.
Nawada district, part of the Magadh division, is one of Bihar’s 38 districts. It shares borders with Gaya, Sheikhpura, and Jamui within Bihar, and also interfaces with Koderma and Giridih in Jharkhand. The Magadh division comprises Arwal, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Gaya, and Nawada.
The Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal, holds a strong position within the Magadh division’s 26 assembly seats. In the 2020 elections, the Mahagathbandhan secured 20 seats, whereas the NDA, under Janata Dal United’s leadership, had a poor showing with only 6 seats. Nawada, where the yatra is currently progressing, witnessed an exceptional performance by the Mahagathbandhan.
Nawada, categorized as one of the nation’s most backward districts, saw the Mahagathbandhan win four out of five assembly seats, while the NDA managed to win only one. The NDA’s victory came in Warsaliganj with BJP candidate Aruna Devi securing the win. The remaining four seats of Rajauli, Hisua, Nawada, and Gobindpur were claimed by the Mahagathbandhan, with the RJD winning three out of four seats within the coalition.
Nawada shares a historical link with Sri Krishna Sinha. During the yatra, Rahul Gandhi will pay homage to Sri Krishna Sinha, the first Chief Minister of Bihar, at the Dr. Sri Krishna Sinha Chowk in Barbigha, Sheikhpura, and address a public gathering. Sri Krishna Sinha, a prominent freedom fighter, was born in Khanwa, Nawada. He remained in office until 1961 and was also known as Bihar Kesari and Sri Babu.
Sri Krishna Sinha hailed from the influential Bhumihar community. Rahul Gandhi’s strategy involves simultaneously targeting Dalit and Muslim communities while also focusing on retaining Bhumihar voters. In the last election, Congress secured one seat in Nawada, while its ally RJD won four. The Mahagathbandhan aims to replicate its earlier success, leveraging the yatra to solidify its position in the district and to potentially sweep the Magadh division.