Ongoing controversy surrounds the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, with accusations flying between the ruling and opposition parties. Rural Development Minister Shrawan Kumar criticized the opposition, stating their politics are reduced to baseless allegations. Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of collaborating with the BJP to steal votes, alleging the commission is assisting BJP leaders in obtaining multiple voter ID cards. In response, the ECI issued a notice to Muzaffarpur Mayor and BJP leader Nirmala Devi regarding the possession of two voter ID cards, requesting a response by August 16th. These developments mark significant events in Bihar’s political landscape.
JDU’s Minister Shrawan Kumar stated that the opposition’s politics are limited to baseless accusations. He added that questioning the voter revision drive launched by the Election Commission to weed out dead and ineligible voters is clear evidence of the opposition’s frustration. The minister highlighted the progress made in basic facilities like electricity, education, and healthcare over the past 20 years, citing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s efforts to transform Bihar since 2005, which have positively impacted even remote rural areas.
JDU National Spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad criticized the opposition’s negative campaign on SIR. He stated that the Supreme Court’s remarks on SIR confirm its legal validity and public trust. The court clarified that the SIR process aligns with constitutional values and that the Election Commission is authorized to conduct it fairly. The court also stated that Aadhaar and voter cards cannot be considered proof of citizenship. Prasad believes that the court’s comments prove the Election Commission’s reforms are correct and the opposition’s resistance is a political stunt.
The Election Commission issued a notice to Nirmala Devi, the Mayor of Muzaffarpur, for possessing two voter ID cards, requesting a response by August 16. Notices were also sent to two of Devi’s relatives, Manoj Kumar and Dilip Kumar, who allegedly possess voter ID cards from the same constituency. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had previously accused the Muzaffarpur Mayor and her relatives of possessing multiple voter ID cards.
Tejashwi Yadav accused the ECI of colluding with the BJP to steal votes. He claimed the commission is assisting BJP leaders in obtaining multiple voter ID cards. Yadav asserted that the ECI is, in fact, colluding with the BJP to steal votes in Bihar before the upcoming assembly elections. He said that the draft electoral roll published by the Election Commission after the initial SIR process should be considered vote robbery. He alleged that the BJP’s prospective candidate for the upcoming assembly elections, the Muzaffarpur Mayor, possesses two voter ID cards from two different booths in the same constituency.
The Bihar government announced a doubling of pensions for JP (Jayaprakash Narayan) soldiers. These political activists were imprisoned for supporting the movement led by socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan during the Emergency. The proposal was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by CM Nitish Kumar, who himself was a key participant in the JP movement that began in 1974, a year before the Emergency was declared. JP soldiers who were jailed for more than six months will now receive a pension of Rs 30,000 per month, up from Rs 15,000, while those serving shorter jail terms will see their pension increase from Rs 7,500 to Rs 15,000.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Gaya, Bihar, on August 22. During his visit, he is expected to announce several significant development projects for Gaya, Bodh Gaya, and the state of Bihar. An NDA meeting was held in Gaya to prepare for the PM’s visit, attended by BJP State President Dilip Jaiswal, JDU State President Umesh Singh Kushwaha, LJP (Ram Vilas) President Raju Tiwari, Hindustani Awam Morcha President Anil Kumar, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha State President Madan Chaudhary. They urged people to attend the Prime Minister’s rally in large numbers.
Dr. Santosh Suman, the National President of HAM Party and Minister of Small Water Resources, stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Gaya on August 22 will boost the development of the area. He said that thousands of party workers are working on the preparations for the PM’s welcome and the success of the rally. Suman added that the PM will announce various projects worth Rs 1675 crore for the overall development of Gaya. The inauguration of the proposed industrial corridor in Gaya will open the doors to Bihar’s development.
