Tejashwi Yadav Slams Centre Amid Bihar Row Over EC’s New Voter Rolls
Tejashwi Yadav criticizes the Centre over the Election Commission’s sudden revision of voter rolls in Bihar, sparking a heated controversy. With the 2025 assembly elections nearing, he alleges a plot to suppress opposition votes. The EC defends the move as routine, but the tight timeline raises doubts. Will this revision reshape Bihar’s electoral landscape or fuel distrust? As political tensions rise, the Mahagathbandhan rallies against the BJP-led Centre. Dive into the whole story to uncover the stakes in this high-stakes electoral battle.
Event Overview: Election Commission’s Voter Roll Revision in Bihar
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a special revision of voter rolls in Bihar. This move aims to update the electoral lists before the Bihar assembly elections in 2025. The revision involves verifying existing voters and adding new ones to the list. It also seeks to remove duplicate or invalid entries. The ECI claims this will ensure a fair and accurate electoral process. However, the timing, just months before the polls, has sparked debate. Critics argue it could disrupt voter participation. The process began recently and is set to conclude within 25 days, a tight timeline. This has raised concerns about its feasibility and the intent behind it.
Tejashwi Yadav’s Sharp Criticism
Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has strongly opposed the ECI’s decision over the revision of voter rolls in Bihar. He accused the central government of manipulating the voter lists. “This step has been taken suddenly. Earlier, this was not in the schedule of the Election Commission,” Yadav said. He questioned the urgency, noting that the same voter list had been used in recent Lok Sabha elections. “The voter list of 8 crore Biharis has been sidelined. Why is this being done now?” he added. Yadav alleged a conspiracy to disenfranchise poor and marginalized voters. He claimed the Centre, led by the BJP, aims to suppress opposition votes. His remarks have fueled the controversy surrounding the Bihar Election Commission.
Political Context: Bihar Elections and Maha Gath Bandhan’s Strategy
The Bihar assembly elections 2025 are approaching fast. The RJD, part of the Mahagathbandhan alliance, is preparing aggressively. The coalition includes the Congress and other opposition parties. Tejashwi Yadav is leading their campaign, focusing on jobs and social justice. Tejashwi Yadav criticises the central government for the voter roll revision, which has become a key issue for the alliance. They see it as an attempt to weaken their voter base. The Mahagathbandhan held its first election meeting recently, describing it as a “win-win” for the RJD and Congress. Yadav’s criticism of the ECI aligns with their strategy to rally voters against the BJP. By highlighting the voter list issue, they aim to energize their supporters.
Centre’s Response to Allegations
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally, Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), have dismissed Yadav’s claims. JD(U) spokesperson Manish Kumar defended the ECI’s decision. “Tejashwi Yadav is afraid of rejection by Bihar’s people. That’s why he’s blaming the EC,” Kumar said. The BJP argues the revision is routine and necessary for fair elections. They claim Yadav is creating unnecessary controversy to gain political mileage. The central government has not issued an official statement. However, BJP leaders insist the ECI operates independently. They accused Yadav of undermining the institution’s credibility. This back-and-forth has intensified the news surrounding the revision of Bihar’s voter rolls.
Election Commission’s Clarification
The ECI has defended its decision to revise the voter rolls. It stated that the process is part of regular electoral maintenance. The commission aims to ensure the voter list is accurate and up-to-date. “This revision will strengthen the democratic process,” an ECI official said. They clarified that the timing aligns with standard pre-election protocols. The ECI also denied any political influence in its decision. It plans to conduct door-to-door verification to update the lists. The commission assured that no genuine voter would be excluded. However, the tight 25-day timeline has raised doubts about implementation. The ECI’s stance has not entirely quelled the controversy surrounding the Election Commission of Bihar.
Bihar Voters Changing Landscape
The voter roll revision could significantly affect Bihar’s electorate. Bihar has over eight crore registered voters. A complete overhaul might lead to errors or omissions. New voters, especially young ones, may face delays in registration. Yadav warned that the move could disenfranchise marginalized groups. He claimed ration cardholders are being targeted, affecting people with low incomes. The revision may also remove deceased or relocated voters from the list. While this aims to clean the rolls, it risks excluding eligible voters. Rural areas, with limited access to verification teams, may face challenges. The Bihar election commission controversy with the EC’s new voter list could thus reshape the electoral landscape. Election Commission Bihar controversy
Public and Political Reactions
The controversy has sparked varied reactions across the state of Bihar. Opposition parties, including Congress, have backed Yadav’s stance. They called the revision a “deliberate attempt” to manipulate the polls. CPI(ML) Liberation, another ally of the Mahagathbandhan, echoed similar concerns. Political analysts, however, are divided. Some see the revision as routine but question its timing. “The ECI’s intent may be genuine, but the haste raises suspicion,” said analyst Sanjay Kumar. Others believe Yadav is exaggerating to mobilize voters. Public sentiment, as seen on social media, is mixed. Many voters expressed confusion about the process. Some fear losing their voting rights. Posts on X reflect growing distrust in the ECI’s motives.
Significance for Bihar’s Electoral Future
The row over the voter rolls adds tension to the 2025 Bihar assembly elections. The state’s political landscape is already polarised. The BJP-JD(U) alliance is banking on welfare schemes and development. Meanwhile, the Mahכול
Mahagathbandhan is focusing on unemployment and caste issues. The voter list controversy could sway undecided voters. Yadav’s accusations may deepen public skepticism. The ECI’s ability to execute a fair revision will be crucial. Any missteps could fuel further distrust. The issue could dominate election campaigns in the coming months.
Conclusion
The Election Commission’s decision to revise Bihar’s voter rolls has ignited a political firestorm. Tejashwi Yadav’s sharp criticism of the Centre has escalated the debate. The ECI insists the revision is routine and necessary. However, opposition parties fear it could disenfranchise voters. The BJP and JD(U) have dismissed the allegations as political tactics. With the Bihar assembly elections 2025 nearing, the controversy could shape voter perceptions. The ECI faces pressure to ensure transparency and fairness. The outcome of this revision will likely impact the elections. Bihar’s political future hangs in the balance.
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