On the day INDIA’s opposition bloc officially declared Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial face in Bihar, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda slammed Mr Yadav and his father, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, for their alleged record of “corruption and jungle”.
In Bihar, campaigning for candidates of the ruling National Democratic Alliance in Goh and Patepur assembly constituencies, Mr. Nadda said the upcoming elections gave Bihar voters a choice between development and destruction.
“Today Lalu and Tejashwi are talking about development. Let them tell the public that during their rule Bihar was in an era of corruption, jungle paradise and darkness. Even today they have not apologized to the people of Bihar for that,” Mr Nadda said.
The Bihar Assembly election pits NDA’s vikas (development) against India’s vinaash (destruction) bloc, he said, adding that RJD stands for Rangdari Jungleraj Dadagiri (extortion, illegality and intimidation).
“Rule of Scoundrels”
The BJP president pointed out that the RJD is fielding Usama Shahab, son of don-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, in the Raghunathpur seat.
“By giving ticket to Shahabuddin’s son, Lalu-Tejashwi has proved that even today these people are eager to bring back the rule of rascals. These people do not want the development of Bihar, they want to push Bihar into the abyss of corruption. During their rule, looting, murder and kidnapping became a business,” he said.
RJD Jobs Promise Questions
In a veiled attack on the RJD leader, who is facing charges in the land-for-work scam case, Mr. Nadda asked whether those who take land for work too would be able to provide employment. Mr. Yadav recently announced that every household in Bihar will get a government job if the INDIA bloc comes to power.
“These people will never give jobs or security. They can only offer corruption, looting, kidnapping, murder and jungle rule,” Mr Nadda said, telling the youth to ask their parents and elders about the dark ages of Lalu’s rule before casting their votes.
He claimed that under the NDA government, Bihar is heading for development along with peace, comfort, tranquility and harmony.
“Congress insults Biharis”
The BJP leader also accused the Congress of insulting Biharis and being a “parasitic” party that ends up with its junior alliance partners.
“When Congress leaders come to seek votes, ask them this – didn’t their Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy say that the DNA of the people of Telangana is better than the DNA of Bihar? The Congress is allied with (Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK’s) Stalin’s party, whose MP Dayanidhi Maran noted that the people of Bihar have the right to vote in Tamil Nadu and in bathrooms to clean the roads. those who insult and question the dignity of Bihar and its people? asked Mr. Nadda.
‘Son of a Thief’
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary said it was a day of shame for democracy and Bihar when the mahagathbandhan chose the “son of a thief” as its chief ministerial candidate.
“RJD president Lalu Prasad in a way tortured all allies and had his son declared as chief ministerial candidate. People of Bihar gave RJD a chance to rule for 15 years but were rewarded with loot, murders and corruption. Today, the son of a corrupt person, a registered criminal, dreams of becoming the chief minister of Bihar,” Choud told reporters in Patharny.
Mr. Choudhary also pointed out that Mr. Tejashwi Yadav’s promises on government jobs would require an expenditure of ₹ 12 crore at a time when Bihar’s total budget is only ₹ 3.17 crore.
A saga of corruption
Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Mr. Tejashwi Yadav praised the work done during the mahagathbandhan government led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar when the Janata Dal (United) was aligned with the RJD. “He should say who was your Chief Minister at that time. Nitish Kumar broke away from you because of your corruption,” Mr Prasad said.
“Which corruption story does he believe? His or his father, mother and his colleagues? Today it is important to tell the country and the state that Tejashwi Yadav’s father and RJD national president Lalu Prasad has been convicted in four fodder scam cases. He has been sentenced to 32 years and five months,” Prasad added.
Published – 23 Oct 2025 23:13 IST
