Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Tejashwi Yadav will be in driving seat in Bihar, says Rahul Gandhi

RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav drives a car carrying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the `Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra`, in Sasaram district of Bihar, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. PTI Photo

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Friday told Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav that he would be in the driving seat when it comes to Bihar as the later joined Gandhi for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

Yadav left for Sasaram, the district headquarters of Rohtas, on Thursday and joined Gandhi for a roadshow on a red car after spending the night there, newswire PTI reported. After exchanging a warm hug, Gandhi asked Yadav to take the wheels.

The two leaders also interacted with farmers, a regular feature of the Yatra known as 'Kisan Mahapanchayat'.

While Gandhi focused on attacking the Modi government, Yadav directed his criticism towards Nitish Kumar, the Bihar Chief Minister, who abruptly returned to the NDA and took away Yadav's power.

Shouts of "Palturam (Mr. turncoat)" came from the crowds when Yadav referred to the JD(U) president's exit from the "Mahagathbandhan", despite the "sacrifice" made by the numerically stronger RJD in accepting him as chief minister.

"When I first promised 10 lakh jobs, he used to mock at me and ask if I would use my father's money (baap ka paisa) to pay salaries. But we made the tired (thake hue) chief minister take significant steps towards job creation," said Yadav, referring to the nearly 17-month period he shared power with the JD(U) president.

"I don't want to use colourful epithets against him like you people are doing," said Yadav, who is admired by his detractors for his correct behaviour.

"But, of course, Nitish ji is answerable to the people, who want to know under what circumstances he chose to realign with the BJP, despite saying in the past that he would prefer to be consigned to dust (mitti mein mil jayenge) and accept death (mar jaana qabool hai) rather than going back to the NDA," said the RJD leader.

Meanwhile, the Congress Friday said Income Tax authorities had frozen its main bank accounts, impacting all political activity. However, the accounts were later de-frozen by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal pending a further hearing next week.

Party leader Vivek Tankha, who appeared before the tribunal against the order, said the party was now allowed to operate its bank accounts, newswire PTI reported. The tribunal will hear the matter next Wednesday before a final decision is taken on the matter.