Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, facing scrutiny over allegations of possessing two voter ID cards, declared on Monday, that he respects constitutional bodies and will respond to the Election Commission’s (EC) notice by the August 14 deadline. The senior BJP leader’s statement came a day after the EC issued a notice following claims by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and the Congress that Sinha’s name appeared in electoral rolls for two constituencies—Bankipur in Patna and Lakhisarai.

The controversy erupted when Yadav, the Leader of Opposition, posted on X, citing Sinha’s Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers—IAF3939337 for Lakhisarai and AFS0853341 for Bankipur—and alleging discrepancies in his age (57 and 60 years). “Is this not fraud?” Yadav questioned, demanding Sinha’s resignation. The EC’s notice, issued by the Bankipur Electoral Registration Officer, seeks an explanation for Sinha’s dual voter registration, which persisted even after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Sinha clarified to the media that he was originally registered in Bankipur but applied in April 2024 to transfer his voter ID to Lakhisarai, his assembly constituency, and requested removal from the Bankipur list. “For some reason, my name wasn’t deleted, and I’ve submitted evidence to the booth-level officer,” he said, emphasizing he has voted only in Lakhisarai.

Sinha accused Yadav of “misleading people” and distinguished himself from opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, who, he claimed, disrespect constitutional norms. Notably, Yadav also faces an EC notice for holding two EPICs, one deemed unofficial by officials.

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The issue has fueled a political slugfest, with X posts like @ians_india amplifying Sinha’s commitment to respond respectfully, while others, like @ProsaicView, question the EC’s oversight. The controversy, amid Bihar’s upcoming elections, underscores tensions over electoral integrity.

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