Fake Voter ID: The Election Commission of India (EC) has issued a formal notice to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, raising serious concerns over his recent claim of being excluded from the voter list. The controversy erupted after Yadav displayed a voter ID during a press conference, alleging that his name had been deliberately removed. However, the EC has dismissed his claims, labelling the presented voter ID as unofficial and potentially fake.
Tejashwi’s Allegation: Claimed Voter Exclusion in Patna
During a press briefing on Saturday, Tejashwi Yadav claimed he had been removed from the electoral roll despite casting his vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He showcased a voter ID, purportedly his own, to back his allegation. The move stirred a political storm, prompting the EC to fact-check his statements.
Election Commission Responds: Shows Proof of Enrollment
In response, the EC clarified that Tejashwi Yadav is indeed listed as a valid voter. According to the official records, his name appears at serial number 416 of polling station 204 located at Bihar Animal Sciences University’s library in Patna. His valid EPIC number is RAB0456228, not the one he showcased during the press meet.
The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of Digha also sent a written communication to Yadav confirming that his name has been included in the draft voter list. The Commission has sought clarification from Yadav about the EPIC number he used to vote in the general elections.
Discrepancy in EPIC Numbers Raises Eyebrows
Interestingly, Tejashwi Yadav has claimed that the EPIC number he used to vote in 2024 was RAB2916120, a number that is currently missing from the draft roll. This discrepancy has intensified the controversy, leading to questions about whether Yadav holds two voter IDs—an offence under electoral laws.
BJP Seizes Opportunity: Sambit Patra Launches Scathing Attack
Reacting swiftly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) capitalized on the issue, with national spokesperson Dr. Sambit Patra accusing Tejashwi Yadav of committing electoral fraud. “Possession of two voter IDs is a punishable offence. Did you lie under oath in your 2020 election affidavit?” Patra questioned during a press conference.
He further alleged that Yadav’s actions, along with those of other Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, are part of a broader pattern to discredit constitutional bodies such as the Election Commission. Patra even drew parallels between Gandhi’s recent comments on election rigging and “Pakistan’s hollow nuclear threats.”
Rahul Gandhi Also Under Fire: BJP Accuses Opposition of Undermining Institutions
BJP’s attack didn’t stop at Tejashwi. Sambit Patra linked the incident to Rahul Gandhi’s controversial “atom bomb” remark, accusing the Congress scion of making exaggerated statements about election rigging without presenting evidence. He insisted that no party agent in Bihar had reported any instances of voter deletion, dismissing the Opposition’s concerns as politically motivated drama.
Dynastic Politics or Democratic Accountability?
The unfolding voter ID controversy has turned into a political battleground. While the EC has firmly rejected Tejashwi Yadav’s claim of voter exclusion, the matter of two conflicting EPIC numbers remains unresolved. The BJP is using the incident to question the integrity of Opposition leaders and their commitment to democratic norms.
As the EC awaits a response from Tejashwi Yadav, this issue could potentially escalate into a legal challenge. The incident has added fuel to the ongoing debate about electoral transparency, fake voter IDs, and political accountability in India’s largest democracy.