Bihar Polls: Tejashwi Says BJP Fears EBC Leader Mukesh Sahani’s Rise
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the BJP of being “scared” of INDIA bloc’s deputy CM pick, Mukesh Sahani, an EBC leader. He alleged BJP’s discomfort reveals its bias ahead of the Bihar elections.
Tejashwi Targets BJP, Says Party ‘Afraid’ of EBC Representation in Bihar Polls
Patna: RJD leader and INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav launched a sharp attack on the BJP on Saturday, alleging the ruling party is “rattled” by the opposition’s decision to nominate Vikassheel Insaan Party founder Mukesh Sahani, a leader from the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), as the alliance’s deputy CM candidate.
Speaking to reporters in Patna, Yadav accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of displaying “frustration” over the choice. “When an EBC leader gets prominence, BJP’s discomfort becomes visible,” he remarked, claiming that the party’s questions about the INDIA bloc’s candidate choices expose its underlying bias.
Tejashwi further said the BJP, which frequently targets minorities, was now pretending to care about community representation. “They call minorities infiltrators and now ask why we didn’t name a Muslim leader. Their hypocrisy is clear,” he said.
The RJD leader also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that Bihar has not received even “one per cent” of the attention given to Gujarat. “People of Bihar are watching and will seek accountability this time,” he added.
Analysis: The remark signals Tejashwi Yadav’s strategic attempt to consolidate EBC and minority votes by framing the contest as one between inclusivity and exclusion. In Bihar’s caste-driven politics, his emphasis on backward class representation could resonate widely. For the BJP, countering this narrative without alienating key social blocs will be a delicate balancing act as the campaign intensifies.