Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of acting on the directions of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a scathing remark, Yadav questioned the legitimacy of upcoming elections in Bihar, suggesting that polls have become meaningless under the current circumstances.
“If the BJP wants to run the government using fake voter lists, then just give them an extension. What’s the point of holding elections if the entire process is dishonest?” Yadav told IANS, raising concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.
When asked if the Opposition might boycott the upcoming assembly elections, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar said the option remains on the table. “Boycott is an option, but we will think about it. We will consult our alliance partners and the public before taking a final call,” he added, referring to discussions to be held within the Grand Alliance.
The controversy over the voter list revision process spilled into Parliament on Wednesday, where the Opposition staged a “black protest” after the government refused to entertain a discussion on the matter.
Government sources maintained that the issue falls under the purview of the Election Commission and, therefore, cannot be debated in the House. “The EC is conducting the revision, not the government,” sources quoted officials as saying.
The standoff over the SIR process — aimed at updating and verifying the electoral rolls — has triggered concerns among Opposition leaders, who allege that large-scale manipulation is underway to favor the ruling party.
Yadav’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions in Bihar, where the state is expected to head into assembly polls next year. The RJD and its allies in the INDIA bloc are likely to meet soon to decide on a collective response to the alleged irregularities.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)