New Delhi: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav reacted sharply to the National Democratic Alliance securing a strong lead in the Bihar assembly election, linking the early trends to the pre-poll special intensive revision of voter lists. He alleged that the exercise, conducted by the Election Commission to clean up electoral rolls, had influenced outcomes in the state.
Yadav argued that what he described as the “SIR game” would not succeed in other regions, saying the process had been exposed and would face stronger resistance in upcoming elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere. He reiterated that his party would remain alert and counter what he claimed were efforts to manipulate the democratic process, accusing the BJP of operating with deceptive intent.
By midday, the NDA had established a commanding lead with 193 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan trailed significantly at 45 and other groups held 5. With 122 seats required for a majority in the 243-member assembly, the ruling alliance appeared comfortably ahead.
NDA leaders dismissed the Opposition’s allegations as a reaction driven by electoral setbacks. They maintained that parties criticising the voter roll revision were attempting to undermine key institutions rather than acknowledge their own shortcomings. According to them, the same groups would not object to the SIR process had it benefited them.
Responding to Yadav’s comments, BJP figures stressed that the revision exercise was aimed at strengthening electoral integrity by identifying ineligible and duplicate entries. They asserted that removing questionable registrations was essential to ensuring transparent elections and criticised Opposition leaders for resisting these efforts. BJP leader Raj Bhushan Nishad argued that concerns around the SIR were misplaced, suggesting that those opposing the process were indirectly supporting the presence of illegal voters.
He added that political leaders should recognise the significance of maintaining credible voter lists and urged them to reconsider their stance as more states prepare for upcoming polls.
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