Tejashwi Yadav claimed that Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has two voter ID cards with two different EPIC numbers.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday flagged loopholes in the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR), claiming that the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has two voter ID cards with two different EPIC numbers. “Vijay Kumar Sinha is a voter from two different assembly constituencies in two different districts. His name is there in the Lakhisarai assembly constituency in the same district and also in Bankipur assembly constituency in Patna district,” Yadav told reporters in Patna.
What did Tejashwi Yadav say?
Tejashwi, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, claimed that Sinha is registered as a voter in the Lakhisarai assembly constituency under EPIC ID number IAF3939337, while his ID number in the Bankipur assembly constituency in Patna district is AFS0853341.
“He has two different Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) cards. Surprisingly, it has happened after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission in Bihar. Who should be held responsible, either Sinha himself or the Election Commission? What action is being taken against Sinha? When will he (Sinha) resign from the post after the revelations?,” he asked, according to PTI.
Why Bihar deputy CM’s name is listed in two constituencies?
Meanwhile, responding to Yadav’s allegations, Vijay Kumar Sinha refuted the charge, stating that in April 2024, he had filed an application to have his name added to the voter list in the Lakhisarai constituency and remove it from Bankipur. “It did not happen immediately, so I called the BLO, filled the form, and took the receiving. I have all the documents. I vote from only one place last time too, it was in Lakhisarai.”
The Bihar Deputy CM said earlier his whole were listed as voters in Patna district, and he had applied to add his name to Lakhirai in 2024 and remove it from Bankipur, Patna, but the deletion form was rejected.
“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. For some reason, my name wasn’t removed, so I called the BLO, submitted a written application, and took a receipt. I have both documents. My deletion form was rejected,” he stated.
Sinha added that he flagged the issue with the Election Commission after the poll body released the draft voter list, following the SIR in the state. He said that the ECI has given a month correction window, and the final voter list has not been released yet.
“One month is given for the correction. People questioning a Constitutional body do not have trust in the Constitution. They spread confusion and are a danger to democracy. Due to this correction window, I have given to the BLO in writing to remove my name. It would have been the Election Commission’s mistake if it did not have a correction window. The final electoral roll has not been released. My name is under the process,” he told reporters.
EC asks Tejashwi to explain allegations
Notably, the ECI has asked Tejashwi Yadav to respond to the allegations that Sinha holds two EPIC numbers. “I have replied to the EC…why should I need to give an explanation for this?,” Yadav said, while accusing the poll watchdog of to pin on him a “mistake committed by its own officials”.
“Galti khud karen aur explanation hamse mangege (They make the mistake themselves and are seeking an explanation from me),” Tejashwi said. “Whose lapse is it if two EPIC numbers were issued to me?,” he asked.
On Saturday, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Kumar posted screenshots of the draft electoral rolls on X, that show Sinha as a voter in Lakhisarai, his assembly seat, as well as Bankipur in the capital city. “Had Sinha been casting his vote from two places? How did he file his enumeration forms from more than one place? Would there be an FIR against him for this fraud?,” he asked.
The authenticity of the screenshots shared by the Congress leader could not be independently verified by India.com.
(With inputs from agencies)
