Bihar Assembly Uproar Over EC’s SIR Amid Black-Clad Protest
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav! (Image X.com)
Bihar Assembly Erupts Over EC’s Voter List Revision, Tejashwi-Nitish Clash Intensifies
By Amit Kumar
PATNA, July 23, 2025 – The Bihar Assembly turned into a political battleground on Wednesday, as a fiery debate erupted over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state’s electoral roll. With reports suggesting over 52 lakh voters may be removed, the Opposition staged a vociferous protest—wearing black and demanding accountability.
Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar exchanged sharp personal barbs, intensifying political tensions ahead of Bihar’s upcoming Assembly elections later this year.
“Is the Government’s Mandate Legit?”
Speaking in the Assembly, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav launched a blistering attack on both the Election Commission and the state government.
“If 52 lakh voters are fake, then the mandate that brought this government to power is also questionable,” said Tejashwi, going further to question the legitimacy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s past electoral wins.
The remarks triggered chaos in the House. An RJD MLA’s outburst—“This Assembly is not anyone’s personal property (ye Vidhan Sabha kisi ke baap ka nahi hai)”—drew a strong rebuke from Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav, who warned of disciplinary action.
“You’re Just a Child”: Nitish Hits Back
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar waded into the controversy, calling Tejashwi a “bachcha” (child) and invoking his family legacy: “I know your father and mother. They were Chief Ministers too. What they did in power is public knowledge,” said Kumar, asserting that Bihar has seen transformation since their ouster, citing a ₹3 lakh crore state budget as proof.
JD(U) MP Calls EC Exercise “Impractical”
The ruling JD(U) also appears divided on the EC’s ongoing voter verification drive. In a sharp critique, JD(U) MP Girdhari Yadav told The Print that the SIR was “impractical” and showed the EC’s ignorance of Bihar’s geography.
Yadav added that even his son living in the US would have difficulty submitting all the documents required under the EC’s revised voter authentication process.
Opposition, Civil Society Gear Up for Fight
Outside the Assembly, Jan Suraj leader Prashant Kishor mobilized supporters in protest, aligning with the Opposition’s narrative that the EC’s actions could lead to mass disenfranchisement. Opposition parties accuse the poll body of opacity and undue haste in the run-up to the Assembly polls, likely to be held in November 2025.
With tensions rising and political fault lines deepening, the EC’s move may soon become a central election issue in Bihar—turning administrative procedure into a full-blown political storm.
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