Tejashwi Yadav responds to PM's allegations, highlights Karpoori Thakur's contributions

Tejashwi Yadav. File pic

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav responded to Prime Minister Modi's charges about Muslim reservations, highlighting the contributions of previous Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. Yadav chastised the Prime Minister for allegedly disrespecting Thakur and questioned the silence of the JD(U) led by CM Nitish Kumar.

Yadav denied Modi's assertions concerning reservations for Muslims during Lalu Prasad's stint as railway minister. He underlined that quotas for disadvantaged classes, including Muslims, were implemented under Karpoori Thakur's leadership. In response to Modi's claim of diverting quotas for SCs, STs, and OBCs, Yadav defended his party's actions, citing increased quotas for disadvantaged castes and legal attempts to protect them, reported PTI.

"The PM seems hell-bent on insulting Karpoori Thakur. I wonder why the JD(U), headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is quiet," Yadav told PTI and added, "We had raised the quotas for deprived castes from 50 to 65 per cent in state government jobs and educational institutions. We had requested the Centre to put the legislation in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to make it immune to legal scrutiny. But it has not been done by the NDA government at the Centre."

Per the news agency report, Yadav questioned the PM and CM's silence on these issues, urging them to instead address the concerns of the people. He questioned the Prime Minister's unfulfilled promises made during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, notably regarding Bihar's unique status and package.

"Why the PM and the CM are maintaining a stoic silence over the issue?" he asked, per PTI report.

Yadav spoke confidently about the opposition coalition's preparation to establish the next government and sang a mantra signalling their unity and drive for the approaching elections, the report added.

"This is Mithila region of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb. What happened to the promises he had made during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls? What happened to the special status and special package to Bihar?" he asked.

"The song 'Vaada Tera Vada' fits the PM who does not talk about his promises," he added.