RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav
Credit: PTI Photo
Patna: The Election Commission on Sunday issued notice to former Deputy Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, for possessing two EPICs (electors’ photo identity cards).
The move comes shortly after the BJP slammed Tejashwi for ranting a "fake" narrative against the EC and “possessing two EPICs which was a crime as per the law”.
The EC notice, issued in Hindi, by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Patna, who is also the Electoral Registration Officer of Digha Assembly constituency, where Tejashwi Yadav casts his vote, says, “In your press conference on August 2, 2025, you mentioned that your name was not there in the voters’ list. You quoted your EPIC number RAB2916120 to buttress your point in the press conference. However, after inquiry, it was found that EPIC number RAB2916120 was never issued by the Election Commission. After a probe, following your allegation of missing name, it was found that your EPIC number is RAB0456228 and your name is mentioned on serial number 416 of polling station number 204 (Library Building of Bihar Animal Science University) in Patna.”
The Election Commission asked Tejashwi, who is also the Opposition face for the chief minister post for the ensuing Bihar Assembly polls, to hand over the other EPIC to the concerned officer who issued notice on behalf of EC.
“You are hereby requested to hand over the EPIC, which you displayed during the press conference on Saturday, while claiming that ‘my name is missing from the voters’ list and how will I contest the Assembly election’, to the undersigned officer for proper investigation of how and from where it was issued,” the notice, issued on Sunday afternoon, said.
Huge embarrassment
The EC notice has come as a huge embarrassment to Tejashwi, who has been at the forefront opposing SIR in Bihar and accusing the Election Commission of “acting as a BJP agent".
Notably, Tejashwi, along with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, is slated to launch another agitation against EC’s SIR drive from August 9 in Patna.
Meanwhile, the BJP and the JD(U) lashed out at Tejashwi for keeping two EPICs. “The Congress and the RJD have been exposed. Did you lie under oath and present incorrect facts to the EC,” BJP national spokesperson Samit Patra asked Tejashwi on Sunday.