Tejashwi Yadav likened the fight for voter rights in Bihar to India’s freedom struggle, slamming Nitish Kumar and the BJP during the Voter Adhikar Yatra. He accused the government of copying opposition schemes, neglecting youth issues, and undermining democracy as the movement gains momentum across 23 districts.
Bihar’s Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday sharpened his political attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, as the Voter Adhikar Yatra reached Nawada. Addressing a massive gathering, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader compared the current fight for voter rights to India’s historic freedom struggle, calling it a battle to safeguard democracy, the Constitution, and the fundamental right to vote.
“Seeing the passion, enthusiasm and determination among you all, it feels like the days of the freedom struggle,” Yadav told the crowd. “Just as the country united against the British and won, today too, we are fighting to save democracy. Just as the British had to leave, these vote thieves will also have to return people’s rights.”
The remark set the tone for his scathing criticism of both the Election Commission and the BJP-led government. According to Yadav, alleged irregularities in Bihar’s voters’ list and systemic challenges to electoral fairness are nothing short of an attack on democracy.
A Generational Shift in Leadership
Positioning himself as a representative of a new generation of leadership, Yadav underscored the role of youth in shaping Bihar’s future. “We are youth and we have a vision to develop Bihar,” he said, stressing that his politics revolves around development, employment, and inclusion.
In his address, Yadav slammed Nitish Kumar’s administration for what he described as a lack of originality. “This is a copycat government. Whatever schemes we announce, Nitish Kumar’s government copies them—whether it is social security pensions, free electricity, domicile policy, or jobs. They have no vision of their own,” he asserted.
The young leader accused the state government of failing to address pressing issues faced by Bihar’s population, particularly its younger citizens. “This tired government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are playing with the future of young people. They do not talk about education, health, jobs, or migration. We are concerned about these and will take every caste and religion along to form a people-centric government,” he declared.
The Voter Adhikar Yatra Movement
The Voter Adhikar Yatra, which began from Sasaram on August 17, has been drawing significant attention as it travels through Bihar’s towns and districts. The movement, spearheaded by the Grand Alliance, has united opposition leaders including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani, and other prominent figures.
By the time it reached Nawada, the Yatra had already passed through Aurangabad and Gaya, gathering momentum and mobilizing large crowds. Its central focus is the allegation of widespread irregularities in the voters’ list and the claim that democracy is under threat. The Yatra aims to highlight these concerns across 23 districts, before concluding with a grand rally at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan on September 1.
For many observers, the Yatra represents more than just an electoral campaign—it is seen as a broader mobilization to protect constitutional rights and restore public trust in democratic processes. The symbolism of comparing the movement to the freedom struggle was not lost on the audience, many of whom cheered Yadav’s fiery words with slogans and applause.
Opposition Unity Against NDA
The speeches delivered during the Yatra reflect a rare display of unity among opposition parties in Bihar. Leaders have consistently accused the NDA of undermining democratic institutions while failing to deliver on promises of development.
Tejashwi Yadav’s remarks about inclusivity—bringing together people from all castes and religions—also appear to be an attempt to widen his appeal in a state where caste politics has historically shaped electoral outcomes. By linking voter rights with broader issues of governance, employment, and social justice, the RJD leader is crafting a narrative that positions him as a challenger not only to Nitish Kumar but also to the BJP’s larger political dominance in Bihar.
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As the Yatra heads toward its culmination in Patna, political analysts expect the rhetoric to intensify, with both sides sharpening their strategies ahead of the next electoral battle. Whether Tejashwi Yadav’s comparison to the freedom struggle resonates with the broader electorate remains to be seen, but it has undeniably added a dramatic edge to Bihar’s political discourse.
