Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Vijay Kumar Sinha, is under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that he possesses two voter ID cards. The Election Commission (EC) has taken cognizance of the matter and has issued a notice to Sinha, seeking an explanation for his name appearing in the voter rolls of two different assembly constituencies.

The controversy was ignited by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, who claimed that Sinha, a senior BJP leader, is registered as a voter in both Lakhisarai, his assembly seat, and Bankipur in Patna. Yadav highlighted that Sinha's name appears in both the Lakhisarai and Bankipur assembly constituencies with separate Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers and differing ages. He questioned the integrity of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission in Bihar, suggesting either a fraudulent exercise or a deliberate act by the Deputy Chief Minister. Yadav demanded that an FIR should be filed against Sinha.

In response to the allegations, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of Bankipur Assembly constituency has formally requested Sinha to clarify the situation by August 14. The ERO seeks an explanation for Sinha's registration as a voter in two different assembly constituencies and his possession of two voter ID cards.

Sinha has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he votes from only one place. He explained that his name was previously listed in the Bankipur assembly seat, and in April 2024, he applied to include his name in the Lakhisarai voter list. Simultaneously, he submitted a form to remove his and his family members' names from the Bankipur rolls. Sinha claims that, due to an administrative oversight, his name was not removed from Bankipur. He accused Tejashwi Yadav of misleading the public and demanded an apology for the "false allegations". Sinha insists he has proof of applying for removal from the Bankipur voter list.

The BJP has defended Sinha, with Jagadambika Pal retaliating by claiming that Tejashwi Yadav also possessed two voter IDs, which he said is illegal. Pal alleged that many members of Yadav's party are registered as voters in multiple places.

This is not the first time Tejashwi Yadav has been embroiled in a voter ID controversy. The Patna Electoral Registration Officer had previously requested Yadav to provide details of his EPIC card for a probe into alleged forgery. Yadav had earlier claimed that his name was missing from the new draft voter list released on August 1 and that his EPIC number had been changed.

The Election Commission's investigation is ongoing, and Sinha is expected to respond to the notice by the given deadline. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant political ramifications in Bihar, especially with upcoming elections.