Opposition workers from the Mahagathbandhan alliance disrupted rail and road traffic across Bihar on Wednesday to enforce a statewide bandh protesting the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of the 2025 assembly polls. The bandh, backed by RJD, Congress, CPI(ML) Liberation, and CPM, saw widespread demonstrations in Patna, Arwal, Jehanabad, Darbhanga, and other districts.

In Patna, opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, led a march to the Election Commission’s office, alleging the SIR process disenfranchises migrants, Dalits, and poor voters. Protesters blocked Mahatma Gandhi Setu by burning tyres, causing major traffic chaos. Independent MP Pappu Yadav and supporters halted trains at Sachiwalay Halt and disrupted traffic in Araria, Purnea, Katihar, and Muzaffarpur. “The SIR is a conspiracy to suppress votes,” Yadav told reporters.

In Jehanabad, RJD’s student wing blocked railway tracks, while in Darbhanga, protesters stopped the Bihar Sampark Kranti Express. National highways in Muzaffarpur and Purnea were also choked, with tractors and vehicles used as barricades. Police struggled to manage crowds, with mild force used in Patna to clear roads.

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The bandh coincided with a Bharat Bandh by trade unions, amplifying disruptions. Despite the chaos, security was tightened for bypolls to nagar panchayats in Patna, ensuring voting continued. The opposition warned of escalated protests, including a potential Supreme Court challenge, if demands for electoral transparency aren’t met.

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