Patna: As Bihar gears up for the crucial vote count on Friday, RJD leader and Grand Alliance chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has accused unnamed “retired officials” associated with the Chief Minister’s Office and “influential leaders” from Delhi of attempting to sway the counting process in favor of the NDA. The RJD leader cautioned election officials against “repeating the mistakes of 2020,” asserting that there is pressure to delay counting and manipulate results.
Speaking in Patna late Thursday after a strategy meeting with senior Grand Alliance leaders, including Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru, VIP chief Mukesh Sahni, and CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Tejashwi declared that the alliance was poised for a “landslide victory” and warned that any attempts to alter results would incite public outrage. Accompanied by leaders from Congress, VIP, and CPI(ML), Tejashwi warned counting officials: “Do not repeat what transpired in 2020. If anyone engages in irregularities, they will face consequences. Those who act honestly have nothing to fear, but those acting under duress should reconsider.” He claimed that multiple officials had communicated to the alliance that they were receiving calls from Patna and Delhi urging them to postpone the count.
“If the NDA is winning, the results should be released promptly; if the Grand Alliance is ahead, the results should be withheld—this is the nature of the pressure being applied,” he stated. Tejashwi emphasized that the high voter turnout signifies a demand for change, especially among the youth. “The people of Bihar have exercised their right to vote. Do not commit injustice against them,” he urged. He dismissed the BJP’s claims of victory as “propaganda,” asserting, “They know their government is collapsing. This is why they are instilling fear and applying pressure.” Counting for all 243 Assembly seats will commence at 8 am on Friday.