Tejashwi Yadav Targets CEC Gyanesh Kumar After Mahagathbandhan March in Patna

Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after the Mahagathbandhan’s march to Lok Bhawan in Patna, alleging that the Election Commission’s actions had undermined voters’ rights.

After meeting the Governor along with other Mahagathbandhan leaders, Tejashwi accused the CEC of conspiring against democracy and alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had adversely affected genuine voters.

Tejashwi demanded accountability from the Election Commission and said the Opposition would continue its agitation despite police action or the possibility of detention. He alleged that protesters faced police pressure despite having an appointment to meet the Governor.

The RJD leader said Bihar had a historic association with democratic and political movements and asserted that attempts to undermine democratic institutions would not be tolerated.

He also linked the Patna protest with the wider Opposition campaign against the Election Commission, saying he had spoken to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and had been invited to participate in a protest in Delhi. He added that Mahagathbandhan leaders would also seek to meet the President as part of the campaign.

Tejashwi further alleged that the BJP-led government had failed to protect democratic institutions. His remarks were political allegations and were not independently established.

VIP chief Mukesh Sahani backed the protest, saying the Opposition had a responsibility to raise issues concerning the people and protect constitutional values.

“It is our duty to be in the opposition,” Sahani said, adding that the Mahagathbandhan would continue raising issues it believed affected democracy and citizens’ rights.

The protest followed the Mahagathbandhan’s two-day agitation against the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission. The alliance has alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and demanded action against the CEC, while the Election Commission and BJP have rejected the allegations of political bias.

Patna SDPO (Secretariat) Annu Kumari said the delegation had been permitted to meet the Governor and returned after the meeting, while other protesters were stopped behind barricades.

Security was heightened across Patna, with barricades installed at several points along the march route and police and administrative officials deployed to regulate protesters, traffic and public movement.

The march also led to a confrontation near the Lok Bhawan gate involving RJD workers and the vehicle of BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi. According to the account provided, RJD workers surrounded the vehicle and raised slogans accusing the BJP of electoral wrongdoing and “vote chori”.

The Opposition has said its agitation over the SIR exercise and its concerns regarding the Election Commission will continue through further protests.