Bihar Elections 2025: What did Rahul Gandhi say to Gen Z on the eve of voting?

Patna: On the eve of the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached out to the young voters of the state, whom he called "Gen Z brothers and sisters." In a message posted on X, he emphasized that voting is not just a right, but the greatest responsibility in a democracy. Gandhi specifically addressed first-time voters, urging them to participate actively in shaping the future of Bihar. "My young friends of Bihar, tomorrow is not just a day of voting, it is the day to decide the future direction of Bihar. Many of you will be voting for the first time," he said. Allegations of Vote Manipulation In his message, Gandhi repeated his allegations of "vote theft" that he claimed had occurred in states like Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. He warned that similar attempts could target Bihar, urging voters to remain vigilant at polling stations. "Stay alert to every conspiracy and manipulation at the booths. The greatest strength of democracy is an aware citizenry. The future of Bihar is in your hands. Defeat this conspiracy of vote theft, government theft," he added. Earlier, Gandhi described the alleged voter fraud in Haryana as a fundamental attack on Indian democracy. He appealed to the youth to ensure their voices are heard and their votes counted. Bihar Elections 2025: How to check your name in the voters list and key dos and don’ts for poll day बिहार के मेरे युवा साथियों, मेरे Gen-Z भाइयों और बहनों, कल का दिन सिर्फ़ मतदान का दिन नहीं, बल्कि बिहार के भविष्य की दिशा तय करने का दिन है। आपमें से कई पहली बार वोट डालने जा रहे हैं - यह सिर्फ़ आपका अधिकार नहीं, बल्कि लोकतंत्र की सबसे बड़ी ज़िम्मेदारी है। आपने देखा, हरियाणा… pic.twitter.com/PpDhlmKsoB — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 5, 2025 NDA Response Union Minister Kiren Rijiju responded to Gandhi’s claims, accusing him of attempting to mislead Bihar's youth with fabricated allegations. Rijiju stated that the youth of India support Prime Minister Modi and will not fall for "imported narratives and conspiracies." Rijiju further added, "The games he plays in collusion with anti-India forces will never succeed." NDA leaders have also accused the opposition of attempting to undermine the Election Commission and create confusion ahead of the polls. Election Context The Bihar election comes after a tense political battle between the Opposition and the ruling NDA, particularly over the special intensive revision voter roll clean-up exercise. The opposition alleged that the exercise aimed to reduce the number of voters likely to support them, while the Election Commission denied all claims. The matter even reached the Supreme Court. Bihar Elections 2025: Just 12 votes to victory last time; Narrow-margin constituencies under intense scrutiny Bihar will go to the polls in two phases, with the first phase scheduled for Thursday, November 7, and the second on November 11. Counting of votes will take place on November 14. Political parties are closely watching voter turnout, particularly among the younger demographic, as it could play a decisive role in the outcome of the elections. Empowering First-Time Voters Rahul Gandhi’s address to Bihar’s Gen Z highlights the increasing importance of young voters in shaping state politics. His call for vigilance and participation underscores the role of an informed citizenry in a democratic system. While allegations of vote manipulation have sparked debate between the opposition and the ruling NDA, the election process continues under the supervision of the Election Commission to ensure transparency and fairness.