Political tensions in Bihar escalated after Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav accused Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha of having his name in two different voter lists. The allegations also claimed that Sinha holds two EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) numbers and that there is a discrepancy in his age across the two records.

Allegations by Tejashwi Yadav

On Sunday, Tejashwi Yadav alleged that Vijay Kumar Sinha is registered as a voter in both the Bankipur Assembly constituency of Patna and the Lakhisarai constituency. He further claimed that the age mentioned in the two voter lists is inconsistent. According to Yadav, such discrepancies indicate a violation of electoral norms.

These allegations come amid an already charged political atmosphere in Bihar, where the opposition has been consistently questioning the credibility of the ruling government.

Sinha’s Immediate Response

Within hours of Yadav’s statement, Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha addressed the media to clarify his position. He acknowledged that his name currently appears in two voter lists. However, he explained that he has already applied to remove his name from the Patna list.

Sinha stated that the final electoral roll has not yet been published and that the process of corrections and deletions is still ongoing. “I have already submitted the application for removal. The official process is in motion,” he said.

Application for Voter List Correction

Sinha presented documents during the press conference to support his statement. He revealed that on April 30, 2024, he submitted a form to include his name in Lakhisarai and remove it from Patna.

However, due to certain administrative reasons, the deletion from Patna did not take place. When the draft voter list was published, his family noticed the duplication and informed him. Following this, he personally met the Booth Level Officer (BLO) and submitted Form-7 on August 5, 2025, requesting the removal of his name from Patna.

“I have always voted from Lakhisarai, including in the last election. This time too, my voter registration is only in Lakhisarai,” he clarified.

Statement from the Legal Representative

A lawyer present with Sinha at the press conference explained the procedural aspect of voter list entries. He said that when BLOs visit homes for verification, they often record names based on available records. Even if a voter has not filled the form personally, their name may appear in the draft list.

In Sinha’s case, once the error was detected, he submitted the required deletion form properly. The BLO has acknowledged the receipt of the form, and as per the Election Commission’s process, the deletion will be completed within a month.

Criticism of the Opposition

Sinha strongly criticized the opposition for spreading what he called false narratives. He referred to Tejashwi Yadav as the “crown prince of jungle raj” and accused him of deliberately misleading the public.

“They should apologize for making such baseless allegations. The BJP respects democratic institutions and does not engage in such practices. Voting from two booths is not our tradition; it belongs to them,” Sinha remarked.

He stressed that the BJP acts as a guardian of democracy and has full respect for constitutional institutions. “If there is any deficiency, we work with the concerned institution to fix it, not insult it,” he added.

Electoral Roll Revision Process

According to the Election Commission, the revision period allows voters to make corrections or request deletions from the voter list. This period is crucial to ensure accuracy before the final list is published.

Sinha pointed out that this month-long correction window exists precisely to address such errors. “I have followed the legal process to remove my name. The opposition’s attempt to politicize this is misleading,” he said.

Broader Political Context

The controversy over dual voter registration is not new in Indian politics. It has often been used as a tool by rival parties to question each other’s integrity. In Bihar, where political rivalries run deep, such allegations can significantly influence public perception.

The ruling BJP-JD(U) alliance and the opposition RJD have been in constant confrontation over governance, development, and electoral ethics. This latest dispute adds another layer to the ongoing political tussle.

Sinha’s Appeal to the Public

Addressing the citizens of Bihar, Sinha urged people not to believe in false propaganda. He reiterated that his voting record is clean and transparent. “I have never voted from two places. The records and my past voting history prove this,” he asserted.

He further advised the opposition to focus on constructive politics rather than attempting to tarnish reputations through misinformation.

Possible Impact on Bihar’s Political Scene

While the Election Commission is yet to publish the final voter list, this issue is likely to remain a talking point in the coming weeks. Political analysts believe that the opposition will continue to use it to question the credibility of the Deputy CM, while the BJP will project it as a deliberate smear campaign.

Given Bihar’s politically aware electorate, how this narrative unfolds could influence public opinion ahead of any upcoming polls.

Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha’s detailed clarification and documentary evidence aim to counter Tejashwi Yadav’s allegations of dual voter registration. The matter now rests on the Election Commission’s final voter list, which will either validate Sinha’s claims or provide grounds for further political confrontation.

As Bihar’s political climate remains heated, the episode underscores the sensitivity around electoral transparency and the speed with which such allegations can become a major political issue.