Patna, April 13 (IANS) Launching a sharp political attack on the ruling dispensation in Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) of misgovernance, alleging that the state is being “run by remote control from Gujarat” and that the interests of Bihar’s people have been ignored over the past two decades.
Speaking to IANS, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, citing the law and order situation in Bihar, alleged that elements linked to the BJP, including those “acting as BJP’s agents within” the Janata Dal-United, were responsible for the prevailing conditions.
“Who else could it be? The people of Bihar know everything. They may not speak, but they see everything. They understand it all. The time will come, and when it does, everyone will get their answer,” he asserted.
The former Deputy Chief Minister further accused the government of draining the state’s resources without delivering tangible development. “Before leaving, they have emptied Bihar’s treasury. Even after 20 years of rule, Bihar remains one of the poorest states. It has the lowest per capita income and ranks among the lowest in education and healthcare. There is no industry or factory here,” he claimed.
Commenting on the frequent visits of ministers to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s residence, Tejashwi Yadav said such movements were irrelevant to the larger concerns of the public. “Our concern is only the people of Bihar. Issues like education, healthcare, income, employment, unemployment, inflation, migration, factories, and farmers’ problems are our main focus,” he said, adding that “whichever government comes, it will not be of the people.”
He also criticised the functioning of the government, “For the past two months, there has been no Cabinet meeting; no decisions have been taken. People are troubled. The administration has become inactive. Corruption has increased. Crime has risen. Jobs are not available. The promises made during elections are not fulfilled,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the ruling alliance over the reported removal of posters of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he quipped: “Yes, these will be removed from everywhere now.”
On the expansion of the state Cabinet, he reiterated his “remote control” jibe, saying that the real authority lies outside Bihar. “Whoever forms the government, it will be run from Gujarat. There is no Chief Minister of the people. They have ruined Bihar in the last 20 years,” he alleged.
He also announced the rebranding of the party’s student wing from Chatra RJD (CRJD) to the Socialist Students Association of India (SSAI), citing legal constraints. “It has been rebranded to SSAI. As you know, according to the order of the Supreme Court of India, political parties cannot operate on campuses or universities under their party name. Therefore, this new organisation has been formed,” he said.
On the upcoming elections in West Bengal, Tejashwi Yadav expressed confidence in Mamata Banerjee. “Mamata Banerjee will win the elections, we have full confidence. Our party will strongly support the All India Trinamool Congress there,” he said.
–IANS
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