NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and leader of opposition in the Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Yadav , on Wednesday said the Mahagathbandhan might consider boycotting the upcoming assembly elections, citing irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“That too can be discussed. We will see what the people want and what everyone’s opinion is,” Yadav told IANS when asked if a poll boycott was on the table.
The remark came on a day of high drama in the Bihar assembly, where proceedings were adjourned within 30 minutes of the House convening due to heated exchanges over the SIR issue. Speaker Nand Kishor Yadav expressed displeasure at both ruling and opposition members, citing use of unparliamentary language and disorderly conduct.
Tejashwi, who wore a black T-shirt as a mark of protest, was allowed to speak on the SIR issue. “We are not opposed to the special intensive revision per se, but how the Election Commission has been carrying out the exercise is objectionable,” he said. “Why so late, when elections are just around the corner? They could have conducted it a few months earlier.”
Questioning the EC’s demand for documentation from voters, Yadav said, “Only two-three per cent of voters may have the documents that the EC is asking for. What is this fear of fake voters? Does the EC mean to say fake voters made Narendra Modi the PM and Nitish Kumar the CM?”
He also raised concerns about 4.5 crore migrant voters in Bihar, questioning what would happen to them if they are not found at their registered addresses. “The EC has threatened to strike off their names,” he said.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar intervened during the speech, telling Yadav, “You are a child. You know nothing of matters like these. Only three days are left of this last session. Let it conduct legislative business. Whatever rubbish you want to speak, you may do it during elections.”
The CM also took a dig at the RJD’s record in power, saying, “When his parents were chief ministers, they did nothing for women, Muslims, or any other section. The only woman who got something was his mother.”
The verbal clash led to chaos in the House. Cabinet colleagues tried to calm Kumar, while RJD MLA Bhai Virendra used unparliamentary language, prompting the Speaker to demand an apology. Deputy CM Vijay Sinha’s loud protests drew a sharp rebuke from the Speaker, who adjourned the House till lunch.
Later, Tejashwi held a press conference, alleging that the ruling party was avoiding a meaningful discussion. “Fifty-five lakh people have been declared as not present at their registered addresses. What is going to be their fate?” he asked.
“The Deputy CM may have been irked that I exposed the lie about Bangladeshis being on the voters’ list,” he added.
When the Assembly resumed, opposition members entered the well, raised slogans and waved placards before staging a walkout.
“That too can be discussed. We will see what the people want and what everyone’s opinion is,” Yadav told IANS when asked if a poll boycott was on the table.
Patna, Bihar: When asked whether the opposition could mutually decide to boycott the elections, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, "That too can be discussed. We will see what the people want and what everyone’s opinion is" pic.twitter.com/6r9fI2pCi0
— IANS (@ians_india) July 23, 2025
The remark came on a day of high drama in the Bihar assembly, where proceedings were adjourned within 30 minutes of the House convening due to heated exchanges over the SIR issue. Speaker Nand Kishor Yadav expressed displeasure at both ruling and opposition members, citing use of unparliamentary language and disorderly conduct.
Tejashwi, who wore a black T-shirt as a mark of protest, was allowed to speak on the SIR issue. “We are not opposed to the special intensive revision per se, but how the Election Commission has been carrying out the exercise is objectionable,” he said. “Why so late, when elections are just around the corner? They could have conducted it a few months earlier.”
Questioning the EC’s demand for documentation from voters, Yadav said, “Only two-three per cent of voters may have the documents that the EC is asking for. What is this fear of fake voters? Does the EC mean to say fake voters made Narendra Modi the PM and Nitish Kumar the CM?”
He also raised concerns about 4.5 crore migrant voters in Bihar, questioning what would happen to them if they are not found at their registered addresses. “The EC has threatened to strike off their names,” he said.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar intervened during the speech, telling Yadav, “You are a child. You know nothing of matters like these. Only three days are left of this last session. Let it conduct legislative business. Whatever rubbish you want to speak, you may do it during elections.”
The CM also took a dig at the RJD’s record in power, saying, “When his parents were chief ministers, they did nothing for women, Muslims, or any other section. The only woman who got something was his mother.”
The verbal clash led to chaos in the House. Cabinet colleagues tried to calm Kumar, while RJD MLA Bhai Virendra used unparliamentary language, prompting the Speaker to demand an apology. Deputy CM Vijay Sinha’s loud protests drew a sharp rebuke from the Speaker, who adjourned the House till lunch.
Later, Tejashwi held a press conference, alleging that the ruling party was avoiding a meaningful discussion. “Fifty-five lakh people have been declared as not present at their registered addresses. What is going to be their fate?” he asked.
“The Deputy CM may have been irked that I exposed the lie about Bangladeshis being on the voters’ list,” he added.
When the Assembly resumed, opposition members entered the well, raised slogans and waved placards before staging a walkout.
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