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Patna,The NewsXT Network July 8, 2025 – Tensions are escalating in Bihar as opposition heavyweights, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, and independent politician Pappu Yadav, gear up for a massive ‘Chakka Jam’ protest in Patna on July 9. The dramatic road blockade, backed by the Mahagathbandhan coalition, aims to disrupt the state capital in a bold stand against the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, a move that has sparked fierce controversy just months before the crucial 2025 assembly elections.
The opposition’s ire stems from the ECI’s decision to fast-track the SIR exercise across Bihar, a process they claim could manipulate voter rolls and tilt the electoral playing field. The Mahagathbandhan, a coalition of opposition parties, has accused the ECI of rushing the revision without adequate transparency, raising fears of disenfranchisement among voters. RJD MP Manoj Jha has already taken the fight to the Supreme Court, challenging the ECI’s directive to implement the SIR immediately. Similarly, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has voiced strong objections, signaling that her party may also pursue legal action to halt the revision.
The ECI, however, defends the SIR as a routine yet critical exercise to ensure the accuracy of electoral rolls. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the importance of the revision, citing feedback from political parties about discrepancies in the current voter lists. According to the ECI, the initial phase of the SIR, which involved distributing enumeration forms to electors, is nearly complete, with draft electoral rolls set to be published on August 1, 2025. The commission insists the process is proceeding smoothly with public cooperation and adheres strictly to guidelines issued on June 24, 2025.
Yet, the opposition remains unconvinced, alleging that the timing of the SIR—mere months before the assembly polls—raises suspicions of political motives. The ‘Chakka Jam’ protest, expected to bring Patna’s streets to a standstill, is a calculated escalation to pressure the ECI and draw national attention to their concerns. With leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav at the forefront, the demonstration is poised to be a high-stakes showdown, amplifying the already charged political atmosphere in Bihar.
As the state braces for potential disruptions, all eyes are on July 9. Will the opposition’s protest force a rethink of the ECI’s plans, or will it deepen the divide in Bihar’s volatile political landscape? With the assembly elections looming, this clash over voter lists could set the tone for a fiercely contested battle at the ballot box.
