Patna, Oct 8: The INDIA bloc in Bihar staged a protest on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protest was led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) working president Tejashwi Yadav.
Leaders from the RJD, Congress, Left parties and other opposition allies participated in the march from Shaheed Smarak in Patna towards Lok Bhavan to submit a memorandum to the governor.
Police Stop Opposition March in Patna
The opposition leaders encountered heavy police deployment and barricades near the Election Commission’s office, preventing them from proceeding further.
Tejashwi Yadav criticised the police arrangements, alleging that the ruling NDA government was using force to suppress peaceful protests. He claimed that the opposition had already informed the governor about its plan to hold a peaceful procession.
When Yadav attempted to climb over the barricades, police personnel stopped him. The ensuing commotion caused several leaders to stumble, while CPI(ML) leader and former MLA Ajit Kushwaha fainted. Police personnel took him for medical assistance.
Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya Sharma said that Yadav and some other opposition representatives met the governor, while several protesters were detained for allegedly creating a disturbance.
Tejashwi Yadav Accuses CEC of Favouring BJP
After meeting Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, Yadav accused the authorities of acting against democratic principles.
He alleged that the Election Commission’s handling of the SIR exercise could give the ruling BJP an unfair advantage in elections. He also referred to recent police action against students and warned that opposition leaders could face similar treatment.
Taking a sarcastic swipe at the Chief Election Commissioner, Yadav used a popular children’s rhyme to question his alleged role in the controversy over electoral rolls.
Misa Bharti Criticises Police Action
RJD MP Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav’s elder sister, also participated in the protest. She maintained that the procession was peaceful and accused the police of using excessive force against opposition leaders.
Several other INDIA bloc leaders joined the demonstration, including Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar Ram and Vikassheel Insan Party chief Mukesh Sahni.
Rajesh Kumar Ram arrived wearing handcuffs to symbolise what he described as the loss of democratic freedoms.
Opposition Submits Memorandum to Bihar Governor
Mukesh Sahni said the governor had assured the delegation that their memorandum would be forwarded to the concerned authorities. However, he expressed doubts about whether their demands would lead to any immediate action.
The protest also witnessed heated exchanges outside Lok Bhavan. Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi faced opposition slogans when he arrived at the premises. RJD MLC Sunil Kumar Singh was pulled away by police after attempting to climb onto the bonnet of a vehicle.
The INDIA bloc has vowed to continue its campaign against the alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise and has reiterated its demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The controversy has intensified political tensions in Bihar, with opposition parties questioning the electoral roll revision process and demanding accountability from the Election Commission.
