By PTI
Updated: Aug 21, 2025, 08:40 PM IST

Lakhisarai, Bihar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government during his ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar, alleging that the current administration was formed through “stolen votes” and had shown indifference to the public’s concerns. Gandhi urged citizens to exercise their franchise to elect a government that is accountable, responsible, and genuinely representative of the people.

In a video shared on X, Gandhi engaged with the youth of Aurangabad, emphasizing the importance of a clean and transparent electoral process. “A clean voter list is the foundation of free and fair elections,” he asserted. He cautioned that when voter rights are compromised, all other rights of citizens are at risk. “Dear voters of India, can a government formed by stealing votes ever have the intention of serving the public? No, right! They don’t even need your votes, so they don’t care about your problems either,” Gandhi stated in his accompanying message in Hindi.

Gandhi’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns about alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. He claimed that names of living voters were being removed under the pretext of being “dead,” effectively disenfranchising citizens. Speaking alongside RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Gandhi appealed to young voters to safeguard their electoral rights and use their votes to protect the Constitution and the democratic fabric of India.

The Congress leader highlighted multiple issues, accusing the government of ignoring pressing problems affecting ordinary citizens. He criticized the administration for record-breaking unemployment and said that the government prioritized the interests of capitalists over the welfare of youth. “Scams like NEET, SSC, and paper leaks have destroyed the careers of millions of students. The government has simply turned a blind eye,” Gandhi said.

He further addressed economic grievances, highlighting rising inflation and increased taxation that, according to him, made life difficult for the common man. Gandhi also pointed to deficiencies in public infrastructure, noting that road collapses, train accidents, and other failures had caused the untimely deaths of hundreds, yet accountability remained absent. “From Pahalgam to Manipur, incidents of terror and violence have occurred, and the government has taken no responsibility,” he said.

Gandhi also criticized key policy decisions of the Modi government, including demonetization, management of the Covid-19 pandemic, and response to farmers’ protests. “Millions of lives were impacted, yet the Prime Minister neither offered help nor showed empathy. This is because the government was not chosen by the people—it was formed by stealing votes,” he alleged. Gandhi maintained that the administration’s approach demonstrates that citizen welfare is not a priority. “Whether you live, die, or suffer—it makes no difference to them. They are confident that they will return to power irrespective of the public vote, through theft,” he added.

During interactions with local youth, Gandhi also sought their opinions on economic policies like GST and demonetization and encouraged them to voice the changes they would like to see in Bihar. He reiterated the need for citizens to elect leaders who are genuinely accountable and responsible to their electorate.

Concluding his remarks, Gandhi called on voters to protect the nation and its Constitution through active participation in elections. “Choose your government—one that is truly yours, takes responsibility for you, and is accountable to you. Protect Mother India and the Constitution of the country with your vote,” he urged.

The Congress leader’s statements during the Bihar yatra mark another chapter in his critique of the Modi government, focusing on electoral integrity, governance failures, and socio-economic challenges faced by ordinary citizens. As the poll season approaches in key states, his appeal to youth and first-time voters is likely to influence the discourse on voter rights and accountability.