Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has joined Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar, marking a significant show of opposition unity ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls. Stalin, accompanied by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, arrived in Bihar on Wednesday to participate in the march and address a public rally in Darbhanga.

Rahul Gandhi launched the 16-day 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' on August 17 from Sasaram to highlight alleged irregularities in the voter list revision exercise in Bihar. The Congress leader has accused the Election Commission of deleting approximately 65 lakh names from the electoral rolls, claiming that many anti-BJP voters were deliberately removed. The yatra, spanning 1,300 km across the state, aims to "protect people's democratic rights" and will culminate in Patna on September 1.

Stalin's participation in the yatra underscores the DMK's solidarity with the Congress and its broader opposition to the BJP's policies. The DMK has been critical of the electoral roll revision in Bihar, with Stalin condemning it as an attempt to favor the BJP. Sources indicate that leaders from other opposition-ruled states and the INDIA bloc are expected to support the yatra at various rallies.

Upon his arrival in Bihar, Stalin expressed his sentiments on X, stating that he was greeted by a land "heavy with every stolen vote," and joined by Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. He added that the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' would transform people's pain into unstoppable strength. Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav rode motorcycles through Muzaffarpur, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra riding pillion on her brother's motorcycle, as they made their way through the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra'.

The BJP has responded to Stalin's visit by raising the issue of past "anti-Bihar" and "anti-Sanatana" remarks made by DMK leaders. BJP spokesperson Narayanan Tirupathi challenged Stalin to repeat the comments made by his son Udhayanidhi on Sanatana Dharma and by DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran on Biharis.

As the Bihar Assembly elections approach, the NDA is in the final stages of seat-sharing negotiations. The BJP and JD(U) are likely to contest an equal number of seats, while the LJP (RV) is expected to be offered fewer seats than it demanded. The NDA aims to increase its seat tally from the 2020 elections, where the JDU won 43 of 115 seats, and the BJP won 71 of 110. The opposition Mahagathbandhan is also preparing for a strong challenge, with Tejashwi Yadav being a popular choice for Chief Minister.