PATNA, Aug. 18 -- Congress leader and leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for undermining the Constitution and accused it of resorting to electoral malpractices to secure victories. Gandhi said this at Saura airfield ground in Rohtas, while launching his 16-day ambitious "Voter Adhikar Yatra" against the "vote theft". "The BJP employs dubious methods, including voter suppression and manipulation of voter lists through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, to disenfranchise millions. The Constitution is under threat. The only power the poor have is their vote, and even that is being stolen," Gandhi declared, urging the public to unite against such tactics. Launched from Rohtas, the yatra, participated by prominent leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc leaders, will cover around 1,300-km across 25 districts and culminate in Patna on September 1 in the form of a grand rally. The campaign is aimed at raising public awareness about alleged electoral malpractices and protecting voters' rights ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. The inaugural event was attended by prominent leaders of the INDIA bloc, including the ailing RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Communist Party of India (Marixist-Leninist) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, Addressing the massive gathering that had thronged the ground, Rahul Gandhi cited instances of alleged voter fraud, claiming that in Maharashtra, 1 crore new voters were added to benefit the BJP, and in Karnataka, investigations revealed over 1 lakh votes were manipulated in a single constituency. He underlined the need for a caste census and the removal of the 50% reservation cap, promising that a Congress-led government would implement these measures to ensure justice for the marginalised communities. The Congress leader framed the yatra as a "fight to save democracy" and a movement to safeguard constitutional values, rallying the crowd with a call to protect their voting rights. "This is not just an election battle; it's a struggle to preserve the soul of India," he asserted, sparking enthusiastic applause. RJD chief Lalu Prasad, addressing the crowd, echoed Gandhi's concerns about electoral integrity, accusing the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of orchestrating voter suppression through the SIR process, which he claimed could disenfranchise 65 lakh voters in Bihar. "We have made sacrifices for democracy, and this yatra will flag off a movement akin to a second freedom struggle," Lalu said, energising the RJD cadre. He urged supporters to ensure every eligible voter is registered and protected from exclusion. Congress chief Kharge slammed the Election Commission of India's (ECI) impartiality, alleging it failed to address discrepancies in voter data despite having access to all records. "The Commission asks us for affidavits while the data lies with them. This is a deliberate attempt to shield wrongdoers," Kharge stated, reinforcing the need for transparency in electoral processes. He called the yatra a 'historic fight' to protect the democratic rights of ordinary citizens. Kharge also launched a scathing attack on the BJP and RSS, accusing them of distorting India's history and freedom struggle. He challenged them to name a single individual from the RSS or Hindu Mahasabha who made significant contributions to the country's fight for independence, asserting that their role was negligible compared to the Congress party's sacrifices. Kharge emphasised that the Congress has historically fought for unity and the rights of all citizens, while alleging that the BJP-RSS narrative seeks to undermine the legacy of India's freedom movement for political gain. Tejashwi Yadav, the young RJD leader, focused on mobilising youth and marginalised communities, emphasising the yatra's role in uniting the Opposition against the BJP's alleged authoritarian tactics. "This is a fight for the poor, the Dalits, and the backward classes whose voices are being silenced. We will not let their votes be stolen," he declared, promising to amplify the concerns of Bihar's underprivileged through the INDIA alliance. The 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' carries significant electoral implications for the INDIA bloc as Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections. By focusing on voter suppression and constitutional threats, the Opposition aims to galvanise its base, particularly among marginalised communities, Dalits, and backward classes, who form a substantial portion of Bihar's electorate. The yatra's emphasis on a caste census and reservation reforms taps into long-standing demands in the state, potentially consolidating the RJD-Congress vote bank. Political analysts see this as a strategic move to counter the NDA's narrative and expose alleged electoral malpractices, which could sway undecided voters. The visible unity among INDIA alliance leaders, including CPI(ML) and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani, signals a cohesive Opposition front, challenging BJP's dominance in Bihar. The public response at the Sasaram rally was overwhelmingly positive, with thousands chanting slogans in support of Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA alliance. Local resident Rajesh Kumar, a farmer, expressed hope, saying, "Rahul ji is speaking for us. The BJP wants to control our votes, but this yatra will awaken people." Another attendee, Shalini Devi, a schoolteacher, praised the Opposition's focus on a caste census, stating, "It's time our communities get fair representation. This movement gives us hope for justice." The crowd's enthusiasm was palpable, with many waving Congress and RJD flags, indicating strong grassroots support. However, some skepticism persisted, with a few attendees like Mohan Paswan questioning whether the yatra's momentum could translate into electoral success against the NDA's organisational strength. The launch of the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Sasaram has set the stage for a high-stakes political battle in Bihar. Rahul Gandhi's fiery speech, coupled with the unified stance of Lalu Prasad, Mallikarjun Kharge and Tejashwi Yadav, has energized the INDIA alliance's campaign, framing it as a defence of democracy and constitutional rights. The yatra's focus on voter rights and social justice issues could reshape Bihar's electoral landscape, provided the opposition sustains its momentum and translates public enthusiasm into votes. As the yatra progresses through Bihar's districts, its impact on state's political narrative will be closely watched....