Tejashwi reiterates poll boycott possibility amid SIR row, NDA calls it gimmick

Amid growing tension between the ruling NDA and Opposition INDIA bloc over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav reiterated that the Opposition could collectively decide to boycott the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar. However, the ruling NDA has dubbed his stand as a political drama to mislead people of Bihar.

Interacting with journalists in the Assembly premises on Thursday, the leader of the Opposition in the assembly again accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of conducting the exercise at the behest of the ruling NDA to manipulate the voter list in favour of the ruling coalition.

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Flanked by leaders of Congress and Left parties, the INDIA bloc convenor in Bihar said: “We are seriously discussing the option of boycotting the assembly polls. If the BJP wants to run the government using fake voter lists, why then should people vote? Just give them an extension. What’s the point of holding elections if the entire process is dishonest?”

BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said panic has gripped the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) due to the fear of defeat. That is why its leader Tejashwi Yadav has started looking for excuses in advance.

“In a democratic process, every political party is free to participate in elections or boycott it. Tejashwi Yadav’s statements about possible boycott of elections reflect that he is well aware of the political scenario in the state. He knows very well that in the upcoming Assembly elections, people of Bihar are going to bring back an NDA government,” he said.

“Leaders of the INDIA Alliance have failed to mislead the people of Bihar in the name of the SIR of voter list,” he added.

Bihar Janata Dal (United) President Umesh Singh Kushwaha also launched a scathing attack on Tejashwi Yadav. He said, “Tejashwi Yadav is continuously losing his political composure due to the fear of a potential defeat in the upcoming Assembly elections. His growing frustration is now clearly visible in his expressions and language.”