Tejashwi alleges voter list manipulation conspiracy

Patna

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Friday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, alleging a deliberate attempt to erase poor and marginalised voters from the electoral rolls.

He raised concerns over the Election Commission’s (EC) sudden announcement of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which he claims invalidates the voter list published in February and initiates a fresh list for Bihar’s eight crore voters—just two months ahead of elections.

“How is it feasible to create a completely new voter list in 25 days? This is a clear conspiracy to strip the poor of their fundamental right to vote,” Tejashwi said. He criticised the process for demanding documents many impoverished citizens don’t possess.

The RJD leader added that his party would approach the Election Commission and submit formal objections through a delegation in the coming days. “The intention is clear—PM Modi and CM Nitish want to eliminate the voices of the oppressed, backward, and marginalised people from the democratic process,” he said, calling the move undemocratic and targeted.

Meanwhile, the EC defended the revision, stating it aims to include all eligible voters, remove ineligible names, and ensure transparency. It cited urban migration, deaths, and illegal entries as key reasons for the update—the first major one in Bihar since 2003. Congress also voiced concern, with spokesperson Pawan Khera accusing the EC of acting as a “puppet” of the BJP and warning that lakhs could lose their voting rights.