Patna, July 10, 2025: Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday, accusing it of functioning like an “agent of the BJP” amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar.
Speaking to reporters at Patna airport, Tejashwi said: It seems as if the Election Commission is working like the party cell of the BJP.” He raised concerns over the rejection of Aadhar cards, ration cards, job cards, and MNREGA cards as valid documents during voter verification.
“People of Bihar still do not have many documents. Why is the Election Commission not issuing clarifications? Why can’t the Commissioner hold a press conference and clear the confusion? What arrogance is this?” Tejashwi asked.
Tejashwi Yadav: “We have knocked on the door of the Supreme Court”:
On the Supreme Court hearing the petitions challenging the SIR, Tejashwi Yadav said: “We have knocked on the door of the court and put forth our side. Let’s see what happens in court.”
The RJD and INDIA alliance have maintained that the SIR is an attempt to disenfranchise the poor, backward classes, and minorities in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
Context of the controversy:
The Election Commission has initiated the verification of nearly 8 crore voters in Bihar within a month as part of the SIR exercise.
Tejashwi Yadav and other opposition leaders argue that many voters, particularly in rural and marginalized communities; do not possess birth certificates or valid date-of-birth documents, making them vulnerable to removal from the rolls.
A day before, the INDIA alliance had called for a Bihar Bandh against the SIR, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Tejashwi Yadav, Dipankar Bhattacharya, Mukesh Sahani, and others, protesting in Patna.
Rahul Gandhi questioned the credibility of the Election Commission, warning that: “The people of Bihar will teach the BJP a lesson. Bihar voters will not spare those who commit fraud with voters.”
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the exercise is aimed at cleaning up voter rolls and ensuring transparency before the assembly elections, but it faces mounting pressure to address public concerns over potential disenfranchisement and transparency.
Also Read: Tejashwi Yadav alleges voter list revision in Bihar is a conspiracy against the poor.
EOM.