Tejashwi Yadav intensifies attack on CEC Gyanesh Kumar (Img: IANS)
Patna: Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following the Mahagathbandhan’s march to Lok Bhawan in Patna. He alleged that the Election Commission’s actions had undermined voters’ rights and accused it of being involved in “vote chori”.
After meeting Governor along with other Mahagathbandhan leaders, Tejashwi accused the CEC of conspiring against democracy and strongly criticised the functioning of the Election Commission. He alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had adversely affected genuine voters and demanded accountability from the poll body.
Tejashwi also alleged that protesters faced police pressure despite having an appointment to meet the Governor. He said the Opposition would not be deterred by police action or the possibility of detention and would continue its agitation over what it described as a conspiracy against voters.
He said Bihar had a historic association with democratic and political movements and asserted that attempts to undermine democratic institutions would not be tolerated.
Tejashwi also linked the Patna protest to the wider Opposition campaign against the Election Commission. He said he had spoken with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and had been invited to participate in a protest in Delhi.
Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "Around 300 MPs from the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha want to hold a peaceful protest. For the past two days, we have not been allowed to protest. On the first day, we were stopped in front of the Election Commission. After that, we said that we wanted to go to Jantar Mantar and hold our protest. And yesterday, you saw that we were stopped at Jantar Mantar and our people were assaulted..."
@INCIndia @INCDelhi @kharge @RahulGandhi
@priyankagandhi #INDIABlocProtest #Delhi #JantarMantar #CEC #ECI— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) October 8, 2026
He added that Mahagathbandhan leaders would also seek a meeting with the President as part of their ongoing campaign against the Election Commission.
Tejashwi further said his political objective extended beyond the immediate issue concerning the CEC, accusing the BJP-led government of failing to protect democratic institutions. These were political statements made by the RJD leader and were not independently established facts.
VIP chief Mukesh Sahani said the Opposition had a responsibility to raise issues concerning the people and protect constitutional values.
“It is our duty to be in the opposition,” Sahani said, adding that the Mahagathbandhan would continue raising issues it believed affected democracy and the rights of citizens.
The protest followed the Mahagathbandhan’s two-day agitation against the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission. The alliance has alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision and demanded action against the CEC. The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the Opposition’s allegations of political bias.
Patna SDPO (Secretariat) Annu Kumari said the delegation had been permitted to meet the Governor and had returned after the meeting, while other protesters were stopped behind the barricades.
The march prompted heightened security arrangements in Patna, with barricades placed at several points along the route. Police and administrative officials were deployed to regulate the movement of protesters and maintain traffic and public order.
The protest also led to a confrontation involving RJD workers and the vehicle of BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi near the Lok Bhawan gate.
According to the account provided, RJD workers surrounded the vehicle as it passed through the area and raised slogans accusing the BJP of electoral wrongdoing and “vote chori”. The incident added to the political tension following the Mahagathbandhan’s march.
The Opposition has said its agitation over the SIR exercise and its concerns about the Election Commission will continue through further protests.
