Political tensions in Bihar continue to escalate ahead of the upcoming elections as the ongoing voter verification and door-to-door survey by the Election Commission becomes a fresh battleground for political parties. The opposition, especially the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and the Congress, has raised serious concerns over the nature and timing of these surveys, calling them suspicious and politically motivated.

In a sharp counterattack, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha has launched a scathing attack on the opposition parties, accusing them of “speaking the language of Bangladeshis” and questioning their intent behind opposing a lawful electoral process.

Voter Verification Survey Under Fire

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a statewide voter list verification campaign in Bihar ahead of the 2025 state assembly elections. As part of this campaign, booth-level officers and election staff are visiting households to verify the voter data, correct discrepancies, and remove ineligible entries.

While the move is aimed at cleaning up electoral rolls and improving voter participation, the RJD-Congress alliance has raised doubts over the impartiality of the process.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had earlier alleged that the drive was being conducted in a selective manner, potentially targeting particular communities and manipulating the voter base in favor of the ruling BJP-JD(U) alliance.

Vijay Sinha Hits Back: “Opposition Defending Illegal Voters”

Reacting strongly to the opposition’s claims, Deputy CM Vijay Sinha held a press briefing in Patna where he lashed out at the RJD and Congress, suggesting that their objections are rooted in an attempt to protect illegal voters.

“Those who are questioning the survey are now speaking the language of Bangladeshis. Why are they so rattled by a lawful process? What do they have to hide?” Vijay Sinha said.

He further added that voter list revision is a routine democratic process, and any attempt to resist it shows “fear of transparency and loss of vote bank politics.”

Political Allegations Fuel Electoral Debate

The war of words has quickly taken center stage in Bihar’s pre-election narrative. The Deputy CM’s comments — particularly the reference to “Bangladeshi language” — have triggered strong reactions on both sides of the political aisle.

While BJP leaders defended the statement, calling it symbolic of the opposition’s “soft stance” on illegal immigration and vote bank appeasement, RJD spokespersons called the remark communal, divisive, and inflammatory.

Congress leaders demanded an immediate apology from the Deputy CM, accusing him of undermining the constitutional right of citizens to question state processes.

Tejashwi Yadav and Prashant Kishor Raise Red Flags

Earlier in the week, RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav had claimed that “targeted voter verification” was being carried out in areas with a high concentration of minority and backward communities, suggesting that the move was intended to delete names from the voter list before the 2025 state elections.

Political strategist and Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor (PK) also echoed similar sentiments, urging the Election Commission to ensure full transparency in the process.

“Voter list manipulation is a serious concern. The Commission must clarify why such an intensive door-to-door survey is being conducted in selective pockets,” Kishor said in an interview.

Voter List Update: A Constitutional Mandate or Political Tool?

As per the Election Commission’s guidelines, voter list revision is a standard exercise conducted annually to:

• Include newly eligible voters

• Remove deceased or ineligible voters

• Correct names, addresses, and other details

• Improve overall electoral integrity

However, the timing of this exercise — just months before state elections — has made it politically sensitive. Opposition parties allege that the ruling coalition could use the process to engineer demographic changes in key constituencies.

Jitan Ram Manjhi Adds to the Debate

Former Bihar CM and HAM(S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi also jumped into the controversy, supporting the Election Commission’s efforts but criticizing the opposition for “misleading the public.”

“If someone has nothing to hide, why fear verification? The opposition is trying to politicize a procedural exercise,” Manjhi said.

He emphasized that every genuine voter has the right to be on the list, and those found ineligible must be removed regardless of caste, creed, or religion.

Election Commission Maintains Neutrality

Amidst the political firestorm, the Election Commission has so far maintained its neutral stance, reiterating that the survey is being conducted uniformly across all districts with proper documentation.

An official statement released by the Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar, read:

“The door-to-door verification is part of our standard protocol to maintain clean and inclusive electoral rolls. There is no discrimination or targeting of any community.”

The Commission has also launched helplines and online portals for citizens to verify their names and raise objections, if any.

Implications for the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections

With Bihar heading to the polls later this year, the controversy around the voter verification process is bound to have significant political implications. The narrative is being framed not just around voter data, but also around identity politics, communal polarisation, and trust in democratic institutions.

Key political analysts suggest that:

• The ruling NDA may project the cleanup as a move towards free and fair elections

• The opposition may continue to use it to galvanize support among minority and marginalized communities

• Voter perception and turnout could be influenced based on how the issue evolves over the next few weeks

What began as a routine voter list verification exercise has now snowballed into a full-blown political controversy in Bihar. The statements made by Deputy CM Vijay Sinha — branding the opposition as supporters of illegal voters — have only intensified the clash of narratives.

Whether this turns out to be a genuine effort for electoral transparency or an alleged tool for voter suppression will be determined not just by the Election Commission’s conduct, but also by the public’s response and legal scrutiny.

KKNLive will continue to track every development in this unfolding story — from official statements to ground-level voter reactions — to provide our readers with unbiased and comprehensive coverage.