Kharge went further to allege that the Modi administration was attempting to manipulate the electoral process in Bihar through “vote chori”, urging voters to be on high alert. He signalled a shift in power, predicting the next government would represent the poor, Dalits, and backward communities.
Targeting Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Kharge said that Kumar had abandoned his socialist roots by aligning with the BJP and RSS, suggesting the alliance was purely transactional and that Kumar would be discarded when no longer useful.
The 16‑day Voter Adhikar Yatra, led by the INDIA bloc and spanning 1,300 km across 110 assembly constituencies in 25 districts, concluded with a massive public gathering in Patna. Key figures such as Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav joined Kharge in addressing the rally, turning the event into a defining moment of political mobilisation ahead of the 2025 Bihar assembly elections.
Rahul Gandhi used the platform to warn of an imminent expose, likening it to a “hydrogen bomb” targeted at alleged vote theft by the BJP, underscoring the INDIA bloc’s combative tone. Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav emphasised local concerns affecting Bihar’s electorate, including migration, unemployment, and inadequate health and education services.
The Yatra also stirred controversy over its logistical impact. As thousands marched through Patna, traffic snarled across key routes, prompting community frustration. Parents struggled to pick up children from suspended schools, and commuters were left stranded for hours, attributing the disruption to poor timing and coordination by organisers and authorities.
Criticism of the double‑engine government also extended to issues of governance beyond electoral manipulation. Earlier this month, Kharge highlighted deteriorating law and order in Bihar, citing murders and violent incidents, and asserted that the state had become a “crime capital” under the current administration—blaming systemic failures on the combined state‑central leadership.
With the Bihar assembly elections slated for October–November 2025, the timing of the Voter Adhikar Yatra is strategic. Opponents of the NDA are focusing their campaign on safeguarding voter rights and challenging what they describe as undemocratic practices. Meanwhile, the ruling alliance is preparing a counter‑narrative emphasizing development, job creation, and a welfare‑oriented governance record.
The INDIA bloc appears to be attempting to frame itself as the voice of marginalised communities, aiming to steer public sentiment through targeted engagement and dramatic political messaging. Whether Kharge’s bold declarations translate into electoral momentum remains to be seen as Bihar edges closer to the polls.