Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will join hands today to lead a statewide protest in Bihar against the central poll body’s decision to revise electoral rolls and implement the new labour code.
The “chakka jam” (road blockade) protest comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections and coincides with Bharat Bandh called by 10 central trade unions and their affiliates across India to demand minimum wage and a new labour code, among other issues.
Rahul Gandhi will join the protest march in Patna against the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the new labour code, from the Income Tax office at Golambar to the Election Commission office.
Tejashwi Yadav will also take part in the march. The protest is being organised and backed by Mahagathbandhan parties, including the RJD, Congress, Left parties, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), and independent leader Pappu Yadav.
Early visuals of the protest have emerged from Hajipur, where RJD supporters blocked the Gandhi Setu.
In Sonpur, the blockade was led by RJD MLA Mukesh Roshan. Police presence has been reported at key protest sites.
Members of RJD’s students’ wing blocked train tracks at Jehanabad railway station.
The announcement of the protest was made during a press conference on Monday attended by Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar, AICC in-charge for Bihar Krishna Allavaru, and leaders of Left parties.
Speaking at the briefing, Yadav said the protest would be held across Bihar. He stated that the Mahagathbandhan was opposing both the labour code and the electoral roll revision, alleging that the SIR process had created “confusion” and was being conducted in a short timeframe. He also claimed that the revision was aimed at benefitting the ruling NDA.
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