Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Tejashwi Yadav Leads Patna March Against SIR, Demands CEC Resignation
Tejashwi Yadav and other opposition leaders marched in Patna to protest changes to voter lists.
They said the changes may have removed some real voters and asked election chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Police used barricades to stop the march from reaching Lok Bhawan.
A scuffle happened after Yadav climbed onto a barricade, and former lawmaker Ajit Kushwaha fainted.
Reports disagreed about whether Yadav was detained: one police official said he was not, while another account said he and other leaders were detained.
The opposition also wanted to meet the Governor and submit a memorandum.
The Election Commission and BJP denied the opposition’s allegations.
BJP and JD(U) leaders criticized the march and called it an expression of political frustration.
On October 8, Tejashwi Yadav led a Mahagathbandhan/INDIA bloc march in Patna against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The march began at Shaheed Smarak and headed towards Lok Bhawan, but police stopped it at barricades near the Chief Electoral Officer’s office.
Opposition parties alleged the SIR excluded genuine voters and demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; the Election Commission and BJP denied the allegations.
Reports differed on the police action: an officer said leaders were taken to Lok Bhawan, Patna’s SSP said Yadav was not detained, while another report said Yadav, Misa Bharti and Mukesh Sahani were detained.
A scuffle followed after Yadav climbed onto a barricade, and former CPI (ML) Liberation MLA Ajit Kushwaha fainted; BJP and JD(U) leaders called the protest political frustration.
- Who
- Tejashwi Yadav and Mahagathbandhan/INDIA bloc leaders and workers; BJP and JD(U) leaders also commented on the protest.
- What
- An 'Aakrosh March' against the SIR electoral-roll revision and the Election Commission, including a demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- When
- Thursday, October 8; the statewide agitation also included block-level marches on October 7.
- Where
- Patna, Bihar, on a route from Shaheed Smarak towards Lok Bhawan.
- Why
- Opposition parties alleged irregularities in the SIR, including exclusion of genuine voters, and sought answers and action from the Election Commission.
Mahagathbandhan/INDIA bloc
Election Commission, BJP and JD(U)
SIR and voter-list changes
Mahagathbandhan/INDIA bloc
Opposition parties alleged irregularities and said genuine voters had been deleted or excluded from electoral rolls.
Election Commission, BJP and JD(U)
The Election Commission and BJP denied the Opposition’s allegations.
Election Commission’s conduct
Mahagathbandhan/INDIA bloc
Tejashwi Yadav accused the Commission of favouring the BJP and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; the Opposition sought answers about complaints and the revision process.
Election Commission, BJP and JD(U)
BJP and JD(U) leaders criticized the march. BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi called it an expression of political frustration, while JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan attacked Yadav’s political record.
Police handling of the march
Mahagathbandhan/INDIA bloc
Yadav said the protesters were not allowed to meet the Governor and accused those in power of undermining democracy.
Election Commission, BJP and JD(U)
Police said barricades were used to prevent the march from advancing; accounts differed on whether Yadav was detained or taken to Lok Bhawan without being detained.
- Protest name
- Aakrosh March
- Main issue
- Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Opposition demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- March route
- From Shaheed Smarak towards Lok Bhawan; police stopped the march near the Chief Electoral Officer’s office
- Detention accounts
- Accounts differed: Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma said Yadav was not detained, while another report said Yadav, Misa Bharti and Mukesh Sahani were detained
- Reported incident
- A scuffle followed Yadav climbing onto a barricade; former MLA Ajit Kushwaha fainted
- Security measures
- RAF, CRPF and Bihar Police personnel were deployed; barricades and water-cannon trucks were reported
