Tejashwi targets electoral roll revision exercise — ‘Ruining Bihar's roti-beti ties with Nepal'

Indian Express

a day ago

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and Bihar 's Leader of Opposition has accused the Narendra Modi government of 'ruining' the familial and kinship ties between Bihar and Nepal – a remark that comes amid speculations of Nepalese and Bangladeshi nationals being found in the state's electoral rolls.
The speculations come at a time when Bihar is conducting the Special Intensive Revision – an exercise of updating its electoral rolls. The voter enumeration exercise, which requires even existing electors enrolled after 2003 to provide documentary proof to establish their date or place of birth to determine citizenship, has drawn criticism from Opposition and other critics on the ground that it could 'disenfranchise' lakhs of people.
In a post on X, Yadav, a former deputy chief minister of Bihar, said the state had a 'roti-beti relationship with Nepal', referring to the state's longstanding familial and kinship ties with Nepal.
He goes on to say: 'Bihar shares a 600-km open border with Nepal. Gorkhas, citizens from Nepal serve in the Indian Army and are employed in Bihar Military Police. Recruitment drives are promoted in Nepal, urging people to join our army. With its narrow-minded approach, the Modi government is even ruining relations with our neighbouring country, Nepal'.
Yadav also questioned the timing and intent behind the speculations, saying: 'Ever since the Supreme Court took cognisance of the matter (SIR) and advised the Election Commission, they seem rattled. Why doesn't Mr. Gyanesh Kumar (Chief Election Commissioner) come forward and clarify everything? Since they have nothing substantial to say, they are simply pointing to fake voters?'
He went on to allege: 'If there are indeed fake voters in Bihar, who's responsible? It is the Election Commission and the NDA government. For the past 20 years in Bihar and 11 years at the Centre, the BJP-NDA have been in power. If any foreign nationals have crossed our borders, obtained Indian citizenship or have their names on the voter rolls, the responsibility lies with Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and their government. The security of the nation and the state falls under their jurisdiction'.
The last Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll took place in 2003 under the previous United Progressive Alliance government, he said.
'Since then, there have been several elections, including three general elections where the BJP secured big wins in Bihar. Many years have passed, and we've seen several elections — including Modi's election victories in 2014, 2019, and now 2024. So, are they saying that, when we lost by 3-4 lakh votes, it was the foreigners who voted for Modi?' he wondered.