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Tejashwi Yadav claims Bihar deputy CM has 2 EPIC numbers. He clarifies
Tejashwi Yadav's charge came amid Opposition's tirade against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state ahead of Assembly elections.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav levelled a fresh allegation on Sunday, claiming Vijay Kumar Sinha, Bihar's deputy chief minister, has two electors photo identify card (EPIC) numbers in two different assembly constituencies - Bankipur and Lakhisarai. However, Sinha issued a clarification saying he did apply for his name to be removed from one constituency, but it did not happen.
Tejashwi Yadav's charge came amid Opposition's tirade against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state ahead of Assembly elections.
During a press conference, Tejashwi Yadav alleged that data on the deputy CM having two EPIC numbers can be found on the Election Commission's online application. Sinha's age is 57 on one of the numbers, and 60 on another, the RJD leader said.
"The new voter list, which has been given to the district president of all the parties. This is also there in the new list. So now, who is doing fraud in this? People should know this..." Tejashwi Yadav said.
He alleged that the "fraud" could only have two possibilities, saying "either the entire process of SIR of the Election Commission is fraudulent or the Bihar Deputy CM is a fraud."
Tejashwi Yadav shares two EPIC numbers
Taking to X, Tejashwi Yadav shared two different EPIC numbers, serial numbers and their corresponding section numbers from two different constituencies.
Yadav claimed that Vijay Sinha “votes twice in two different assembly constituencies during elections held in two different phases”. The RJD leader also claimed that two enumeration forms were filled out, both signed by Vijay Sinha.
“In other words, they deliberately got two votes registered in two different places. If they did not personally sign both enumeration forms, did the Election Commission create two different votes for them in two different assembly constituencies based on forged signatures?” a part of Yadav's tweet read.
Vijay Sinha says he votes only in one place
Reacting to Tejashwi Yadav's allegations, Vijay Sinha also addressed a press conference, saying he has proof that he applied for his name to be removed in one of the constituencies Yadav listed - Lakhisarai.
“Earlier, my entire family's name was listed in Patna. In April 2024, I applied to add my name to the Lakhisarai Assembly. I also filled out a form to have my name removed from there. I have proof,” Sinha was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
However, he further added that when his name wasn't removed, he submitted a written application, but his deletion form was rejected. “I vote from only one place. Last time too, I voted only from Lakhisarai, and this time as well, the form was filled from there...” Sinha clarified.
He hit out at Tejashwi Yadav, saying it is not befitting of person holding a constitutional post to “tarnish politics with his language”. “The whole of Bihar and the country know that the way the prince of Jungle Raj plays the game of tarnishing others, he should apologise and such false allegations should not be made at all,” Sinha said.
Tejashwi Yadav's fresh charge came days after he alleged that his name was missing from the “draft electoral rolls” published by the poll panel as part of the SIR in Bihar.
“Now look! I am myself not registered as a voter. This disqualifies me from contesting elections. Perhaps, I cease to be treated as a citizen and stand deprived of the right to live in this house,” Yadav had said.
However, his charge was countered by the Election Commission, which released a copy of the draft roll showing Yadav’s name and other details at serial number 416.
His fresh charge linked to the Bihar deputy chief minister also follows Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's explosive allegations of the poll panel colluding with the BJP, and of "vote chori".
The Congress leader had alleged theft of 1,00,250 votes in a Karnataka constituency, further claiming that the theft model was being used in many constituencies across the country.
