Living voters declared dead, names deleted, claims Tejashwi

PATNA: RJD 's Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday alleged that EC's credibility had been largely eroded due to controversies surrounding the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar. "At each booth, the names of at least 50 living electors have been deleted on grounds that they are dead. We have proof," Tejashwi told reporters in Araria during INDIA bloc's press conference and 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

Terming NDA as "Nahin Denge Adhikar," Tejashwi accused BJP of indulging in stealing votes of the poor and deprived. "At his Gaya rally, the PM said EC is working to drive away infiltrators from the country, but in its affidavit before SC, EC has not mentioned this issue," Tejashwi claimed, adding that Bihar, as a land of democracy, would not let it be destroyed.

Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI(M-L) general secretary, said EC failed in its job of preparing "accurate poll rolls." He added, "BJP has largest number of BLAs, but they haven't filed any complaint related to the SIR. Does this mean names of BJP voters haven't been deleted from electoral rolls?"

On a question on Chirag Paswan's jibe that he had become a "pichhlaggu" (follower) of Congress and Rahul, Tejashwi said, "I won't comment on his remark, but I would like him to get married soon..." Rahul joined in, saying the advice "also applies to me", sparking laughter from those present.

Meanwhile, police have filed an FIR against Tejashwi in Gadchiroli following a complaint by BJP MLA Milind Narote, who accused him of posting objectionable and defamatory content against PM Modi on X ahead of PM's Bihar visit. Tejashwi is charged with creating a rift and disturbing public tranquillity. - Manoj Chaurasia & Soumitra Bose