In a fresh controversy ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress party on Saturday accused Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Samrat Chaudhary of deliberately altering his age in election affidavits, alleging that this was an attempt to mislead voters and flout constitutional norms. The accusation was made during a press briefing by Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate, who presented a series of documents purportedly showing discrepancies in Chaudhary’s declared age over the years.

Shrinate highlighted documents that pegged Chaudhary’s birth year as 1981, which would make him 44 years old in 2025. In contrast, his latest election affidavit declared his birth year as 1968, making him 56 years old—a 12-year difference that the Congress spokesperson described as evidence of deliberate misrepresentation. To support the claim, Shrinate referenced a 2003 Supreme Court order related to Chaudhary’s election from Parbatta in the 2000 Bihar Assembly polls. The court had annulled his election at that time, citing age fraud. According to the order, Chaudhary was underage when he filed his affidavit, not meeting the minimum requirement of 25 years to contest the election.

Shrinate argued that Chaudhary’s alleged falsification of age is not a one-off instance but part of a broader pattern. She noted that in his 2010 election affidavit, Chaudhary claimed to be 28, aligning with the 1981 birth year. However, his most recent 2025 affidavit shows him as 56 years old. “This isn’t just one man’s deceit — it’s the BJP’s brand of politics: lies, fraud, data manipulation,” Shrinate said, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take cognizance of the matter and initiate an investigation. She insisted that such alleged manipulation violates constitutional norms and compromises the integrity of the electoral process, potentially misleading voters.

The Congress spokesperson also claimed that these inconsistencies could affect public trust in elected representatives, pointing out that a candidate’s age is a legally mandated detail in the election affidavit, meant to ensure transparency and accountability. By allegedly altering his age multiple times, Shrinate argued, Chaudhary undermined the principles of honest representation and electoral fairness. She emphasized that the Supreme Court’s previous observations regarding his age and eligibility add weight to the demand for scrutiny.

Reacting to the allegations, BJP spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel dismissed the claims as politically motivated. He said, “The Opposition are now making all sorts of allegations and spreading misinformation against the BJP as they know how BJP and NDA would form the government in Bihar with a big majority.” Patel’s response framed the Congress allegations as part of a pre-election strategy rather than a substantive legal concern, highlighting the heightened rhetoric that typically surrounds Bihar polls.

The controversy over Chaudhary’s age comes at a time when Bihar’s political climate is already charged, with the state preparing for a two-phase Assembly election on November 6 and 11, with results to be announced on November 14. The issue of age discrepancies in election affidavits has periodically emerged in Indian politics, often leading to scrutiny by courts and the ECI. If proven, such discrepancies could invite legal consequences for candidates, including disqualification or annulment of their election, depending on the gravity and intent of the misrepresentation.

Political analysts note that the allegation also fits into a larger pattern of Congress attempting to challenge the credibility and transparency of BJP leaders ahead of the polls. By highlighting what it calls an “age fraud,” the party seeks to raise questions about the integrity of BJP candidates and create doubt among voters regarding their trustworthiness. For the electorate, such disputes can become a contentious talking point, particularly in constituencies where Chaudhary is a prominent figure.

The Congress also framed the allegation within a broader narrative of the BJP allegedly manipulating data and engaging in fraudulent practices, arguing that such behavior reflects a culture of disregard for constitutional norms. In doing so, the party attempted to tie the specific case of Chaudhary’s alleged age alteration to the overall credibility of the BJP and the NDA in the eyes of voters.

While the BJP has rejected the accusations, asserting that they are part of the opposition’s campaign rhetoric, the issue now falls under the purview of the ECI, which is responsible for ensuring compliance with election rules and for investigating any claims of irregularity in affidavits. The Commission can request verification of documents, summon candidates for explanations, and take further action if any wrongdoing is found. The final resolution, however, often depends on legal procedures, which can take time.

In summary, the Congress has accused Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary of deliberately misrepresenting his age in election affidavits, citing documents, including a 2003 Supreme Court ruling, as evidence. The alleged discrepancy—declaring a birth year of 1981 in earlier records and 1968 in the 2025 affidavit—has triggered claims of election fraud and deceit, which the Congress argues is part of a broader BJP pattern. The BJP has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, asserting that the claims are aimed at influencing voter sentiment ahead of the state elections. With the Election Commission’s oversight and potential for legal scrutiny, this controversy adds another layer of intrigue to Bihar’s tightly contested electoral landscape, highlighting ongoing disputes over transparency, candidate eligibility, and adherence to constitutional norms.

The controversy over Chaudhary’s age now joins a series of pre-election disputes in Bihar, as political parties seek to assert credibility, question opponents, and influence voter perception in the final days leading up to polling.