The BRICS TimesThe RJD leader made the announcement during the concluding phase of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in election-bound Bihar.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday declared that he would be the chief ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Speaking at a rally in Arrah, he took sharp digs at CM Nitish Kumar, accusing him of “copying” his policies.
The announcement was made during the final stretch of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar, with the Congress leader and opposition chief in Lok Sabha sharing the stage. Until now, both Gandhi and the Congress party had refrained from naming a CM face for the alliance.
Tejashwi calls Nitish Kumar a ‘copycat CM’
At the public gathering, Yadav mocked Nitish Kumar as a “duplicate chief minister” who imitates his initiatives. “Do you want an original Chief Minister or a duplicate?” he asked the crowd, positioning himself as the INDIA bloc’s “authentic” CM contender.
He asserted, “Tejashwi is moving forward, and the government is simply trailing behind,” a remark that drew loud cheers.
The Bihar polls are expected in October or November, though the Election Commission is yet to release the schedule.
Akhilesh Yadav endorses Tejashwi as INDIA bloc’s CM face
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also joined Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi in the yatra, voicing strong support for the RJD leader’s candidature. Calling the campaign a fight to safeguard democratic rights, he said it had awakened Bihar’s people to the threat of their freedoms being “taken away.”
“I congratulate Tejashwi ji for this yatra. He has made people aware of their rights being snatched. This time, harmony will triumph in Bihar, and the people will vote for a better future,” Akhilesh said, as quoted by ANI.
The former UP chief minister praised Tejashwi’s track record as deputy CM, especially his employment initiatives. “Earlier, Tejashwi ji provided a record number of jobs. Today’s youth believe that if he returns to power, employment will follow,” he said.
When asked if Tejashwi should be the CM face, Akhilesh gave full endorsement: “He has already proved himself in governance. What better candidate can there be? I assure him of our complete support and experience.”
