Akhilesh Yadav backs 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', says Tejashwi made people aware of their rights being "snatched away"

Addressing a gathering, Akhilesh said the yatra had awakened the people of the state to the threat of their rights being "snatched away".

"I congratulate Tejashwi ji for the yatra he carried out. He made the people of Bihar aware that their rights are being snatched away. I congratulate Tejashwi ji, Rahul Gandhi ji and the people of Bihar. This time harmony is going to win in Bihar. The people of Bihar will vote to build their future," Akhilesh declared.

Praising Tejashwi's previous tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, Akhilesh highlighted his record on employment.

Tejashwi ji has shown his work even before. And there was a time when he gave a record number of jobs, and employment was provided. Now, the youth of Bihar at least have this confidence that once the government is formed, Tejaswi ji will again provide them employment.

When asked if Tejashwi Yadav will be the chief ministerial face for INDIA bloc, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says, "...Tejashwi ji has shown his work here. And when he was in the government here, the decisions he took, jobs were given. What better face can there be than this? I assure him that we will help him with all our experience."

Launching a sharp attack on the BJP, Akhilesh questioned its electoral strategy."The Bharatiya Janata Party has come up with SIR. What can be crazier or a more crazy decision than this? They want to contest elections by sitting behind the Election Commission...The Election Commission has become 'Jugaad Commission'," Akhilesh Yadav said.

Drawing a parallel with Uttar Pradesh, he said," we saw loot in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP used to get 26-36 per cent votes... In UP, the people voted with awareness. I hope this time the people of Bihar will also wipe them out."

August 30's Voter Adhikar Yatra is conducted from Chapra, Saran, to Arrah, Bhojpur.

Covering over 1,300 km across 20 districts, the yatra is scheduled to conclude in Patna on September 1. The high-stakes Bihar assembly elections are expected later this year, although the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date. (ANI)