Rahul Gandhi to Begin 15-Day Bihar Padyatra from Aug 17 Against ‘Vote Theft’: Baghel

August 13, 2025

Raipur (Chhattisgarh):Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday accused the Election Commission of failing to respond to crucial questions raised by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi regarding alleged “voter theft” in the 2024 general elections.

Addressing the media, Baghel stressed that these unanswered queries strike at the “core of democracy.” He recalled that on Monday, when over 250 Opposition MPs were marching to the Election Commission’s office to raise these concerns, they were stopped midway and detained by the Delhi Police.

Baghel said the protest aimed to prevent electoral malpractice and protect democratic values. He added that Rahul Gandhi will embark on a 15-day padyatra in Bihar from August 17, culminating in a grand rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan on September 1, with leaders from all INDIA bloc parties expected to attend.

Referring to Monday’s march against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls and alleged voter fraud in the 2024 polls, Baghel linked the movement to the slogan “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhodd,” which he claimed has now gained public momentum.

Separately, Congress MP KC Venugopal announced a nationwide protest plan, including a district-level night march on August 14, state-level rallies from August 21 to September 7, and a signature campaign from September 15 to October 15 targeting five crore endorsements to be presented to the Election Commission.