Bihar’s political climate has intensified following serious allegations by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav against Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. Yadav claims Sinha possesses two voter identification cards registered in different constituencies, an action he describes as fraudulent and potentially illegal under election laws.
The accusation comes amid growing political tensions in Bihar, where the RJD and the ruling coalition have been engaged in increasingly hostile exchanges ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
The Allegations
Tejashwi Yadav, who serves as the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, directly accused Deputy CM Sinha of maintaining dual voter registrations. According to Yadav, this constitutes a violation of election laws, which prohibit citizens from being registered as voters in multiple constituencies simultaneously.
“The Deputy Chief Minister has committed fraud by maintaining two voter ID cards in different constituencies,” Yadav stated during a press conference. He suggested this could be grounds for legal action, as the Representation of the People Act specifically forbids such dual registrations.
The RJD leader demanded an investigation into the matter, questioning how a high-ranking government official could allegedly violate basic electoral rules while holding a constitutional position.
Deputy CM’s Defense
Vijay Kumar Sinha has categorically denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. In his response, Sinha stated that he had already filed official applications for the deletion of his previous voter registration when he changed constituencies.
“I have followed all proper procedures as required by the Election Commission,” Sinha explained. “The application for deletion of my previous voter registration was submitted through official channels as soon as I registered in my current constituency.”
The Deputy Chief Minister provided details about the timeline of his voter registration changes, insisting that any overlap would be administrative rather than intentional.
Political Fallout
The exchange has further polarized Bihar’s political landscape, with both parties using the controversy to attack each other’s credibility.
Sinha accused Tejashwi Yadav of deliberately tarnishing the reputation of political opponents through false claims. “This is a pattern of behavior from the opposition—making sensational allegations without verification just to create headlines,” Sinha remarked.
RJD supporters have rallied behind Yadav, arguing that the allegations reflect broader concerns about rule violations by those in power. Party spokespersons have called for the Election Commission to examine the matter and take appropriate action.
The ruling coalition partners have stood firmly with Sinha, describing the controversy as a desperate attempt by the opposition to distract from governance issues.
The Election Commission has not yet issued any official statement regarding the allegations. According to electoral rules, the commission has the authority to investigate such claims and take action if violations are confirmed.
As Bihar heads toward future electoral contests, this controversy adds another layer of antagonism to an already charged political environment. Political analysts note that such allegations, regardless of their ultimate verification, tend to further erode public trust in political institutions while energizing respective party bases.
