Rahul Gandhi to Head Key Agitations in Patna on July 9 for Electoral Rolls and Labour Code Issues
PATNA, Bihar, India – July 08, 2025: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is programmed to come to Bihar’s capital city, Patna, Wednesday, July 9th, for one of the major agitations that are against special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and the new labour code. These protests organized as ‘chakka jam’ meaning ‘road blockade’, will be spearheaded by the INDIA coalition-an arrangement of opposition parties.
Issues for Protest
The visit by Gandhi has highlighted growing alarm by the official opposition over two key issues. The INDIA bloc has strongly condemned the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, which is conducted by the Election Commission in that state. According to some opposition leaders such as RJD Tejashwi Yadav, the process is biased and meant to disenfranchise a majority of voters, especially the poor and migrant workers, ahead of the Bihar elections that have to be conducted soon. The accusers argue that the timeline is very impractical, while further stringent document requirement could automatically exclude many genuine voters.
In addition to the electoral roll revision, the protests will also target the new labour codes. Ten central trade unions have called for a nationwide ‘Bharat Bandh’ (general strike) on July 9, protesting the central government’s ‘anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national, pro-corporate policies.’ In particular, the trade unions state that such new labour codes are made to weaken collective bargaining crippled union activities and favor the employer.
United Front of INDIA Bloc
Announcement of Gandhi’s participation came on Monday during a press briefing held in Patna and attended by Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar Congress President Rajesh Kumar, AICC in-charge for Bihar Krishna Allavaru, and leaders from Left parties. The protest would be staged by all allies from the INDIA bloc, particularly RJD, Congress, VIP, and the Left Front. He also confirmed that the “chakka jam” would be implemented throughout Bihar, with Gandhi joining the protest in Patna.
Legal and Political Implications
Controversy regarding the revision of electoral rolls is presently at the Supreme Court level. The RJD and TMC have joined hands to move to the apex court challenging the decision of the election commission, as it seems arbitrary and could disenfranchise millions. On July 10, the Supreme Court hears these pleas, a day after the implementation of the planned “chakka jam.”
The opposition perceives that revision in the electoral rolls is ‘assault on democracy,’ akin to the demonetization move, and a conspiracy not to allow the poor to vote. They will go on a march to Election Commission office in the capital of state as part of the protest.
Impact and Outlook
The “chakka jam” and protests associated with it will cause significant disruption in the whole state of Bihar on July 9, severely affecting banking, postal, coal mining, factories, and state transport services. The dream here is that Gandhi’s presence would give their agitation considerable weight, rallying public support against government policies and the Election Commission’s actions as elections draw closer in Bihar.
