PATNA, Nov. 11 -- RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan (MGB) chief ministerial face Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Monday alleged that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had become a tool of the BJP, failing to function impartially under the influence of PM Modi and home minister Amit Shah. He claimed the ECI was deliberately concealing information and enabling potential electoral malpractices, raising serious questions about the integrity of the ongoing Bihar elections. Yadav's criticism was targeted on the ECI's inordinate delay in releasing gender-wise voter data from the first phase of polling on November 6, which recorded a historic 65.08% turnout-the highest in Bihar's electoral history. "The ECI has not disclosed the gender-wise data of electors who cast their votes even after four days of the first phase of Assembly polls. This is happening for the first time. Earlier, it was given immediately," he claimed at a press conference here. "... Why is the data being concealed? BJP will carry on with its sins and the ECI will keep covering... The ECI is dead and has become a tool," he further said. Yadav alleged the commission had "stopped functioning properly under the leadership of Modi and Shah," warning officials of "dire consequences" if they colluded to disrupt the process. "We will not allow vote theft or dishonesty in any circumstances," he asserted. He also expressed concern over frequent failures of CCTV cameras in strong rooms storing electronic voting machines (EVMs), stating his party had repeatedly informed authorities about these issues. "Why are CCTV cameras of the strong rooms failing so frequently? The party has been informing the officers concerned about it, and people and party workers are keeping a close watch," Yadav said. He referenced disturbing incidents of VVPAT slips being discarded on roadsides, suggesting these could indicate tampering attempts and demanding immediate ECI intervention to restore transparency. Yadav questioned the deployment of police forces, claiming 68% of personnel and observers hailed from BJP-ruled states, deviating from the norm of using Central Armed Police Forces. "Altogether 208 companies of security personnel from BJP-ruled states have been deployed in Bihar for poll duties. Around 68% of police observers are from BJP-ruled States. Why is it so?" he asked. He wondered why forces from opposition-ruled states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka or Kerala were not utilised, alleging this was a deliberate ploy by the BJP to influence polling in MGB strongholds. "Outsiders, including Amit Shah, want to control Bihar, which the people of Bihar will not allow," he declared. Taking aim at PM Modi, Yadav accused him of portraying Bihar in a "dim light" through negative campaigning instead of addressing real issues. "The PM came here for poll campaigns, but he indulged in negative politics. He did not talk about major issues like unemployment and migration during his campaigns," he said. Yadav highlighted Modi's inconsistent rhetoric: "There is a clear difference between his words and deeds. He talks about guns and rifles, but is seen on stage with tainted candidates like Manorama Devi." He claimed Modi spoke of development and investments in Gujarat but resorted to divisive tactics in Bihar, ignoring local corruption. "He did not say anything about the corruption charges of Samrat Choudhary, Dilip Jaiswal and Mangal Pandey. The PM shared the dais with people like Hulas Pandey, Anand Mohan, Sunil Pandey and Manorma Devi. Are they honest politicians? He met Vipin Sharma, prime accused in the multi-crore Srijan scam in Patna," Yadav alleged. He mocked Modi's rally songs, asking, "What kind of songs PM Modi was singing in his rallies, I don't know which web series he is watching these days. How does he get so much spare time to do all this?" Exuding confidence ahead of the second phase on November 11 and results on November 14, Yadav claimed the MGB would form the government. "We will take oath on November 18," he predicted, promising no compromise on law and order. "We will take action against criminals, communal forces and corruption if the INDIA bloc wins." Outlining his vision, he said, "Bihar will become the most developed state. It saw no success in the last 20 years. Now, after November 14, Bihar will list out its success. There will be food processing units, agro-based industry, facilities for education, medical and opportunities to earn money. There will be IT hubs and educational cities. Superspeciality hospitals will be built. We will make sure no Bihari has to go to another state." He criticised the NDA's 20-yr rule for leaving Bihar underdeveloped, with millions migrating for jobs, education, and healthcare. Meanwhile, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed the press conference as a sign of desperation. "Tomorrow is the second phase of voting. BJP, along with NDA, is moving towards a decisive, effective, and historic victory in the Bihar elections, mark my words. The campaigning has ended, but I didn't expect the Opposition to become so hopeless. Today, Tejashwi Yadav held a press conference repeating all his schemes, this is the height of desperation. He even asked why all industries are set up in BJP-ruled states and not in Bihar or Tamil Nadu. It seems Rahul Gandhi's company has had its effect on Tejashwi too." Union minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh slammed Tejashwi, saying RJD was "nowhere" after Bihar's first-phase polls on 121 seats. "They live in the air, peddling hot air. They'll vanish post-Nov 14," he said. Singh accused the Lalu-Rabri regime of 15 years of darkness, no power, fear after 7 PM, and roads turned to potholes. He alleged Tejashwi's family amassed wealth via "kidnapping business," claiming a minor Tejashwi bought a Rs.500-cr Delhi house. "Public won't give him a chance; he's speaking nonsense out of desperation." Yadav's presser comes amid heightened tensions in the 243-seat Bihar Assembly polls, where the MGB aims to unseat the NDA led by chief minister Nitish Kumar. With the second phase covering 122 seats today, these allegations could intensify scrutiny on the ECI's handling of the elections....