In a recent development, Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, inquired about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s perception of the opposition’s influence. This question arose after Kumar announced a domicile policy for government jobs on Monday. Yadav suggested that the Chief Minister share his experience regarding copying the opposition’s announcements.
Tejashwi expressed his satisfaction that the NDA government, which he described as ideologically bankrupt, had previously rejected the demand for a domicile policy in Bihar but was now adopting it. He pointed out that the government, which had vehemently opposed the policy in the Assembly, was now replicating it, much like other initiatives.
He further stated that the NDA government, in its 20 years, had failed to develop its own distinct policies, vision, and foresight. Yadav found it amusing that the government, which had been indecisive for two decades, was now acting upon the opposition’s demands. He cited instances such as social security pensions, free electricity, government jobs, and increased honorariums for various workers.
Following a series of announcements by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in recent days, the opposition has claimed that these are a direct result of their pressure.
Simultaneously, a complaint was lodged at a Patna police station, seeking an investigation into the issuance of two voter ID cards in favor of Tejashwi Yadav. The Election Commission has requested that Yadav submit the voter ID card he claims to possess for examination, as it was not officially issued.
The Election Commission clarified that the opposition leader’s voter ID (EPIC) number had not been altered, which contradicted his claims. A local individual filed the complaint at the Digha police station, and the complaint has been forwarded to the district election office.
The Congress party has strongly criticized the Election Commission, alleging that it is acting at the behest of the central government to disenfranchise the poor and marginalized through the voter list revision in Bihar. They also accuse the Election Commission of not adhering to the Supreme Court’s recommendations on accepting Aadhaar cards for voter registration.
Congress leaders claimed the Election Commission of a conspiracy to benefit the ruling parties in Bihar. They added that the public will not forgive the NDA government for attempting to strip real voters of their constitutional rights and predicted the NDA would be ousted from power in the upcoming assembly elections. The Congress party accused the Bihar NDA government and the Election Commission of undermining the people’s constitutional rights.
They further stated that the central government, under Narendra Modi, appears to distrust the judiciary and the Chief Justice of India, which is evident in the government’s removal of the CJI from the panel that selects the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.