In the backdrop of a high-stakes electoral battle brewing in Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday met top Congress leaders in Delhi to strategise for the upcoming Assembly elections.
The meeting, which included Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, and Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, marks a key step in the preparations of the Mahagathbandhan — an opposition alliance of the Congress, RJD, and Left parties — to take on the ruling NDA.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Tejashwi Yadav said the alliance is united and fully prepared to bring change in Bihar. “We had positive discussions. We will meet again on April 17 in Patna, along with other alliance parties. We want to take Bihar forward,” he said.
Launching a scathing attack on the Nitish Kumar-led NDA, which includes JD(U) and the BJP, Yadav said, “Even after 20 years of NDA rule, Bihar remains the poorest state. It has the lowest per capita income, lowest farmers’ income, and the highest migration rate. The NDA has failed Bihar.” He emphasised that the opposition would fight the elections based on real issues affecting people and would expose the failures of the government.
On the chief ministerial face of the RJD-led alliance, Yadav said, “We will discuss and unanimously decide the CM face. ‘Nitish ji to hijack ho chuke hain.’ NDA is not forming the government in Bihar this time.”
Bihar Congress President Rajesh Kumar said the meeting was held in a natural and smooth atmosphere, adding, “We are united in our fight against the NDA. We will take decisions step-by-step and raise important issues before the people.”
Congress Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru confirmed that detailed discussions were held about the alliance’s future roadmap. “We all believe the INDIA bloc will win the elections in Bihar,” he said.
With Assembly elections due later this year, Bihar is set to witness a tough contest between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan.
