Bettiah (Bihar) [India], August 29 (ANI): Amid a row that erupted over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Friday said that his party have no opposition to SIR itself, but rather to its manner, timing, and intent, and ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ is a result of that.
Speaking to ANI, Jha said, “We have no opposition to SIR itself, but rather to its manner, timing, and intent, and you are seeing the result of that opposition. Today this (Voter Rights Yatra) has become not just the journey of any one party but of the entire Bihar…”
He further emphasised the need for accountability in the electoral process, saying, “I say directly that when questions are raised about the method or process of elections in any country, the institution conducting the elections should apologise for the mistake it has made… When credibility is removed from elections, democracy weakens.”
Earlier today, Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani took part in the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bettiah as the campaign entered its final stages.
The Voter Adhikar Yatra is being conducted in Bettiah, West Champaran, to Siwan via Gopalganj on Friday.
Earlier on Thursday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of being a “vote chor” (vote thief) and questioning his silence on the matter.
Speaking in Motihari, Rahul Gandhi said, “If I am accusing the Prime Minister of being a ‘vote chor’, why is he quiet about it? Why is the Prime Minister not uttering a single word? ‘Kyuki Pradhan Mantri vote chor hai aur wo jaanta hai ki humne usko pakad lia hai.'”
The 16-day ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav aims to raise awareness about alleged irregularities in the voter list, which opposition leaders have termed a case of ‘vote chori’ (vote theft).
Covering over 1,300 km across 20 districts, the yatra is scheduled to conclude in Patna on September 1.
Bihar Assembly elections are expected later this year, although the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date.
While the NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, aims to continue its tenure in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD, Congress, and left parties, seeks to oust Nitish Kumar.
In the current Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consists of 131 members, with the BJP having 80 MLAs, JD(U) having 45, HAM(S) having 4, and the support of 2 Independent candidates.
The Opposition’s INDIA Bloc comprises 111 members, with the RJD leading with 77 MLAs, followed by the Congress with 19, the CPI(ML) with 11, the CPI(M) with 2, and the CPI with 2. (ANI)
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