Union Minister Giriraj Singh launched a sharp attack on Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), following his remarks on BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur’s controversial statement. Singh accused Yadav of displaying “arrogance,” suggesting that for him, politics is akin to “monarchy” rather than democracy, due to his family legacy as the son of former Bihar Chief Ministers Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi.
“Tejashwi Yadav is arrogant because for him, this is not democracy but monarchy. He didn’t enter politics through struggle; he is the son of Lalu Yadav, and that is his reputation. Even Ravan’s arrogance was broken; who are Tejashwi and Lalu Yadav?” Singh remarked while speaking to reporters.
The feud ignited after Tejashwi Yadav criticized Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for not taking action against BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur. The MLA had sparked controversy by allegedly urging Muslims to “stay indoors” during Holi, which coincided with Ramadan. Yadav condemned Kumar’s inaction, accusing him of being in an “unconscious state” and failing to speak out against the BJP MLA’s remarks.
“Who is he (the BJP MLA) to make such a statement? Where is the Chief Minister? He is in an unconscious state,” Yadav said, emphasizing Kumar’s failure to respond to the issue while being quick to criticize women, Dalits, and backward classes in other instances.
Yadav also took aim at the influence of the BJP on its ally, the Janata Dal (United), claiming that JDU has now embraced the BJP’s ideology. “There is a lot of BJP and Sangh influence on JDU; JDU has turned into the color of the Sangh and BJP,” Yadav remarked.
In his response, Yadav defended Bihar’s inclusive culture, highlighting that the state has always honored both Ram and Rahim. “This is Bihar, where four Hindu brothers stand to protect one Muslim,” he said. Yadav reiterated that the RJD would continue to uphold Lalu Yadav’s ideology and the Constitution, regardless of political outcomes, and would not let the BJP advance its agenda.
The controversy erupted after BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul from the Bisfi Assembly constituency made the contentious appeal to Muslims, adding fuel to an already heated political debate.
