Bihar opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav hints at boycotting Assembly polls, alleging voter list manipulation by BJP and the Election Commission to disenfranchise minorities, Dalits, and opposition supporters. He demands transparency and accountability, calling the revision process a conspiracy to tilt the electoral balance.
In a politically charged statement that could have far-reaching implications for Bihar’s democratic landscape, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has raised the possibility of a boycott of the upcoming Assembly elections. His remarks come in response to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, which he alleges is part of a “deliberate” effort to disenfranchise voters aligned with the opposition.
While addressing the media, Tejashwi Yadav hinted at the option of a collective boycott. “This can also be discussed. We will see what the public wants and what everyone’s opinion is,” he said, signaling that the opposition parties might unite in taking an unprecedented step if the current electoral processes are not rectified.
He did not stop at just suggesting a boycott. Yadav went on to question the very legitimacy of conducting elections under what he described as manipulated and compromised circumstances. “When elections are not being conducted honestly, then why are we conducting elections? The elections have been compromised,” he declared.
Allegations Against the Election Commission and BJP
Yadav’s statements take direct aim at both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI). He alleged that the ongoing voter list revision is not about cleansing democratic records but about selectively removing voters who are likely to oppose the current government.
According to the ECI, a total of 18.66 lakh dead voters were removed between January 25 and June 24, 2025. Tejashwi found this figure both exaggerated and suspicious. “Did 18.66 lakh people die in just a few months? Why were they on the list for so many years? Was the Election Commission sleeping all this time?” he asked pointedly.
Yadav further questioned the authenticity of the ECI’s claim that 26.01 lakh voters had shifted permanently in just four months. He argued that such a massive migration could not be justified without physical verification and door-to-door checks by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
He also criticized the ECI’s claim that 3.7 lakh voters were found to be registered in two places, highlighting the lack of transparency and due process. “Was any personal notice given to them? How do you conclude duplication without proper verification?” he questioned.
Targeting Marginalized Voters?
One of the most serious allegations made by Yadav is that the revision campaign disproportionately targets the marginalized sections of society. “This is a conspiracy to disenfranchise minorities, Dalits, backward classes, and supporters of the opposition. Preparations are being made to delete lakhs of names without BLOs visiting people’s homes,” he said.
He added, “Earlier, voters used to choose the government; now the government is choosing the voters.” According to him, the entire operation is a calculated move by the ruling BJP to tilt the electoral balance in its favor, thereby undermining democratic norms and processes.
Demand for Accountability
Tejashwi also demanded answers from the Election Commission regarding the basis for the deletion of 52.66 lakh voters, especially questioning how many of them are foreign nationals, as claimed. He stressed that the on-ground verification process is nearly absent and that administrative overreach is being used to achieve electoral objectives.
“This figure of 6.62% absentee voters is being manipulated to solve electoral mathematics at the behest of the government,” he charged.
Conclusion: A Growing Standoff
Tejashwi Yadav’s statements have escalated the ongoing political standoff in Bihar to a new level. His open challenge to the integrity of the voter list revision process, along with the possibility of a boycott, has added significant pressure on the Election Commission to justify its actions with transparency and accountability.
“We will not let their arbitrariness continue in Bihar,” he warned, leaving the door open for both legal and political countermeasures.
| Also Read: Tipra Motha wins ECI nod for countrywide voter roll review |
As Bihar moves closer to the Assembly elections, this controversy is likely to dominate the political discourse, raising important questions about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process.
