Voter list revision row: RJD's Manoj Jha accuses EC of backing out of scheduled meet; poll body responds
NEW DELHI: The
Election Commission
(EC) on Wednesday dismissed claims made by
Rashtriya Janata Dal
(RJD) MP Manoj Jha regarding a supposedly cancelled meeting about Bihar's special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
Jha cited an EC letter that allegedly confirmed a meeting scheduled for July 10. He questioned the Commission's apparent refusal to meet after initially agreeing to the appointment.
In a post on X Jha wrote, 'Dear EC ji, is this not your own letter? When we pointed out the time after noon on July 10, your people, after initially agreeing, are now refusing to meet.'
'I, a humble citizen, urge you not to act at the behest of any political party but to fulfil your duty under Section 324.
Will you do so?' he added.
The EC promptly responded, labeling Jha's claims as misleading. The Commission clarified that it had received no communication from either RJD President Lalu Yadav or his authorized representative,
Tejashwi Yadav
. According to the EC, Jha's authorisation from the party was limited to attending the July 2 meeting only, as per RJD's letter dated April 3.
Meanwhile,
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav led a 'Mahagathbandhan' protest against the EC's special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why!
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
The opposition has alleged that the Election Commission, through its revision drive, is snatching voting rights from migrants, Dalits, Mahadalits, and poor voters, calling the campaign a 'conspiracy to block votes' ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, which are due in three months.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav claimed that the poll body has lost its credibility and has become a 'wing of a political party.'
'The Election Commission has become a wing of a political party.
Will two people from Gujarat decide which Bihari voter can vote and which cannot?' Tejashwi asked.
'The Election Commission has lost its credibility. Preparations are underway on a large scale to remove the names of poor people from the voter list. First, their names are being deleted, and then their pensions and rations will also be taken away,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
19 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Karnataka government's pro-poor schemes in sync with the vision of Ambedkar, Jagjivan Ram, says Minister
Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs K.H. Muniyappa said here on Friday that the five guarantee schemes of the Karnataka government were in sync with the vision of B.R. Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram, and that the government was serving the cause of social justice. He was speaking at a seminar on 'Contributions of Babu Jagjivan Ram' conducted by the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU). Resource persons and speakers paid tribute to Jagjivan Ram's commitment to social justice and empowerment of the socially oppressed classes. Mr. Muniyappa said that Jagjivan Ram gave a voice to the oppressed section of the society, and like Ambedkar, used caste as a tool for social justice. This, he said, has to be contrasted with the present times where some forces use caste as a political weapon. He referred to the SC/ST Sub-Plan Act, 2013, introduced by the Congress government in the State, and pointed out that it mandates that a portion of the State's allocable budget be earmarked for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in proportion to their population. This, the Minister said, helps in the upliftment of the Dalits as envisaged by Ambedkar and Jagjivan Ram. Paying tributes to Jagjivan Ram and his contribution in various capacities, Mr. Muniyappa said that the former stood for social equality and equal rights for the oppressed classes. The contribution of Jagjivan Ram as the Minister for Food and Agriculture, and the policies initiated by him which culminated in the Green Revolution, was also highlighted by him. On the prevailing situation with respect to the oppressed communities, the Minister said that although Dalit students receive reservation in schools and colleges, they continue to face social exploitation or discrimination. In universities and academic institutions, Dalit scholars struggle to receive equal recognition, while caste-based violence, atrocities, and land rights violations against Dalits still persist in some regions, he added. The Minister described Babu Jagjivan Ram as the model for a society which prioritised the development of all communities, especially the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and it was in the fitness of things that the Government of Karnataka has established Babu Jagjivan Ram study centres in nine universities across the State, including the KSOU in Mysuru. Through these centres, seminars, conferences, and other programmes are being organised to create social, educational, and economic awareness among the marginalised communities. Minister for Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa inaugurated the seminar, and KSOU Vice-Chancellor Sharanappa V. Halse, Registrar Naveen Kumar, Director of Babu Jagjivan Ram Research Centre Sharanamma, and others, were present.
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Supreme Court declines Lalu Prasad Yadav's plea to stay Land-for-Jobs trial
The Supreme Court on Friday (18 July 2025) declined to entertain a petition by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking a stay on trial court proceedings in the land-for-jobs case. Yadav had approached the Apex Court challenging the Delhi High Courts earlier order that rejected his plea to halt the trial. He argued that the First Information Report (FIR) against him was filed without the necessary sanction under the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, a bench comprising Justices M. M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh observed that the issue did not warrant Supreme Court intervention and should instead be addressed by the Delhi High Court. The High Court had previously permitted Yadav to raise his objections before the trial court but refused to stall the proceedings. With the top court stepping aside, the trial in the land-for-jobs case will proceed as scheduled in the lower court.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Tejashwi Yadav mocks union minister Lalan Singh over ‘mutton party' during Sawan, recalls past BJP reactions
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has taken a swipe at Union minister of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairy, Rajiv Ranjan Singh—commonly known as Lalan Singh—for organizing a "mutton party" in Lakhisarai, which falls under his Munger Lok Sabha constituency. Criticizing what he sees as the BJP's double standards, Tejashwi remarked, "BJP would now say that it is 'punya' that Lalan Singh is feeding mutton to his people & workers, because he is their ally & a Union minister. They won't say anything now. When PM comes here tomorrow, I hope he will speak on Lalan Singh, that he is feeding mutton in Sawan," he told PTI Video in a sarcastic tone. His comments were in reference to earlier criticism he had faced from the BJP, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for similar reasons. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Operations Management Degree Data Science CXO Design Thinking Cybersecurity Management Data Analytics Artificial Intelligence healthcare Product Management Technology Public Policy Project Management Others PGDM Leadership Data Science MBA others Finance Digital Marketing MCA Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma Analytical Tools Supply Chain Management & Strategies Service Operations Management Duration: 10 Months IIM Lucknow IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics Starts on Jan 27, 2024 Get Details Bihar politics has seen such controversies before. Last year, Tejashwi himself was at the center of a storm after a video surfaced of him eating fish fry during Navratri. The clip, which was posted by Tejashwi on his own social media, led to strong backlash. However, he later clarified the timing of the video, explaining that it was shot before Navratri and shared deliberately to highlight the 'low IQ' of his critics. The issue of non-vegetarian food during religious periods has repeatedly sparked political rows in the state. Two years ago, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav faced BJP criticism for hosting a mutton feast during the holy month of Saawan. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also present at the event. Speaking at an election rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur at the time, Prime Minister Modi had said, "They visit a criminal's house, a convict out on bail in Sawan to cook mutton. They make videos to mock people, echoing the Mughal era mentality. They aim to provoke citizens and secure their vote bank, now they'll rain bullets on me, abuse me. But it's my responsibility to show the right aspect to the country." The renewed controversy underscores how food, faith, and politics continue to collide in Bihar's charged electoral landscape. Live Events [With TOI inputs] Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
