Arun Kumar Mishra
THE “Voter Adhikar Yatra,” launched under the leadership of the Mahagathbandhan on August 17 from Sasaram, with Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav as its most visible faces, has traversed a long road from the southwest corner to the northeast corner of Araria, turning into a mass movement.
As a participant in the yatra representing the CPI(M), I had never witnessed such enthusiasm for a democratic cause – saving the right to vote.
The inaugural rally in Sasaram on August 17 saw massive participation from people of all ages. Men, women, children, the young and the elderly came out in such large numbers that all arrangements went haywire. Even with special stage passes around our necks, we had to struggle to reach the podium, negotiating hurdles along the way. Credit goes to Subhashini Ali, CPI(M) leader, who guided us through, dealing not only with the crowd but also with police officers and constables at various checkpoints.
With the arrival of Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Lalu Prasad himself, the response was overwhelming – truly something to be seen to be believed. The slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” rent the skies.
Subhashini Ali spoke at the very beginning of the meeting. In her brief but powerful speech, she exhorted the people of Bihar to rise as one to defend their democratic right to vote. Recalling Bihar’s proud history of resistance during the Emergency, she said that once again it was time to rescue the constitutional framework of a democratic, socialist, secular republic, now under assault by the neo-fascistic Modi government. The very essence of democracy, she reminded the people, lies in choosing a government through free and fair elections, with every adult citizen guaranteed the right to vote.
Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav warned of the looming danger of depriving common people of their voting rights, which is essential for choosing a government of their choice. They declared in unison that Bihar will not tolerate the theft of votes through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
That very day, the Election Commission held a press conference but failed to answer the pointed questions about the fraud being perpetrated in the name of the SIR. In doing so, it thoroughly exposed itself and lost credibility in the eyes of Bihar’s voters.
During the yatra, Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and leaders of the CPI(M), CPI, and CPI(ML) met numerous voters whom the EC had declared “dead” or whose names had been arbitrarily deleted. Everywhere, common voters were found running from pillar to post to safeguard their voting rights, only to be rebuffed. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are under stress, while officials continue to dish out daily lies to cover up their failures. Now, in a cruel irony, the EC is asking political parties to help restore the very voters it has wrongfully deleted.
As the yatra wound its way from Sasaram to Aurangabad, Gaya, and Nawada, the entire stretch wore a festive look. Thousands upon thousands of people – workers, peasants, women carrying newborn babies, elderly men and women, and children waving flags of different political parties with the slogan “Vote Chor – Gaddi Chhod” on their lips – lined the roads, markets, and rural haats to catch a glimpse of the leaders leading the seemingly unending convoy of cars, jeeps, bikes, bicycles, and marchers on foot. From rooftops and school buildings, students and people greeted the yatris at every turn. It seemed as if every district was competing with the others to ensure it made the strongest impression. The crowds swelled further as the yatra passed through Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnea, and finally Araria.
The yatra has sent a clear message: no conspiracy to steal the election in Bihar will be tolerated. The Voter Adhikar Yatra has moved beyond the “hanky-panky” of the Election Commission. With the democratic structure under siege, it must be rescued through a mass popular movement. Panic has visibly set in at the highest levels of the ruling party. Through their massive participation, the people of Bihar have once again taken upon themselves the responsibility of building a nationwide struggle against the communal-corporate authoritarian regime of the NDA.
The CPI(M) has been at the forefront of defending the democratic rights of workers, peasants, and common citizens – men, women, and youth. From the very beginning, it has actively participated in the yatra. Central Committee member Awadhesh Kumar joined at Bhagalpur and remained with it until Araria. Sanjay Kumar represented the Party in Lakhisarai and Munger. In other districts, Ajay Kumar, secretariat member and leader of the Party in the Assembly, will join the yatra, which will culminate in Patna on September 1, with CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby participating.
