PATNA, July 9— Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday led a large protest march in Patna against the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) move to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Thousands of Congress workers waving the Tricolour and party flags accompanied Gandhi as he joined the ‘chakka jam’ (road blockade) demonstration at 10:30 a.m., beginning from the Income Tax office at Golambar and moving towards the state office of the Election Commission.
The protest comes in the backdrop of rising political heat in Bihar ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, and coincided with the Bharat Bandh called by 10 Central trade unions demanding implementation of a minimum wage law and a comprehensive labour code.
Speaking briefly during the march, Gandhi said the timing and intent behind the ECI’s move appeared “deeply suspect.” “The revision of rolls must be transparent and inclusive. Any attempt to tamper with democratic processes will be resisted,” he told reporters.
Party leaders have accused the ECI of undertaking the revision exercise without adequate consultation, potentially disenfranchising voters in opposition-leaning areas.
Congress officials said the march was not only aimed at raising concerns about the electoral roll revision, but also to express solidarity with workers’ unions participating in the nationwide bandh.
The Election Commission has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations. However, officials have previously maintained that the SIR is a routine process meant to update voter lists and remove discrepancies.
With elections approaching, political observers say Wednesday’s protest signals a combative opposition strategy and a renewed push by Congress to consolidate support on the ground in Bihar.
Read More: SC to Hear Petitions Against Bihar Voter List Revision on July 10
