Tejashwi Yadav criticized Samrat Choudhary for a misleading statement on the quota contribution of Lalu Yadav.
Patna November 27, 2024: A day after a heated exchange between the leader of the opposition Tejashwi Yadav sharply criticized Samrat Chaudhary for misleading the people about Lalu Prasad Yadav’s contribution to the reservation.
Samra Chaudhary on Tuesday claimed that Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi had on significant contribution to the implementation of reservation policies in Bihar.
In response, Tejashwi Yadav strongly refused this, asserting that his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, played a pivotal role in enhancing reservations during his tenure.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Tejashwi Yadav highlighted key contributions of the RJD-led governments to social justice and criticized the misinformation being propagated by political opponents.
Tejashwi Yadav defended the reservation contribution of Lalu Yadav:
“It was under Lalu Prasad Yadav’s government that the reservation for backward classes in Bihar was increased from 12% to 14%, making it the “first government” to take significant steps towards improving the quota system. Samrat Chaudhary also said that Nitish Kumar was solely responsible for introducing reservations in Panchayati Raj institutions. I want to make it clear that the Rabri Devi government had already drafted the Panchayat reservation policy, but its implementation was delayed due to legal challenges. The policy was only executed during Nitish Kumar’s tenure as a result of the groundwork laid earlier,” Yadav said.
Tejashwi Yadav urged Samrat Chaudhary to “correct his mistake” and properly acknowledge the historical contributions of previous RJD governments.
He accused Samrat Chaudhary of deliberately spreading misinformation, stating, “Samrat Chaudhary should be ashamed for his statement…. He has been with us for most of the time, yet he is an ignorant man.
The Mandal Commission recommendations were implemented nationally during V.P. Singh’s prime ministership, but their enforcement at the state level often saw local adaptations. Lalu Prasad Yadav’s government is credited with being a vocal advocate for these reforms, which significantly impacted the political and social landscape of Bihar.
Samrat Chaudhary, however, maintained his position in the assembly, stating that Lalu Prasad Yadav had not provided reservations to anyone during his tenure, sparking sharp criticism from Tejashwi Yadav and his allies.
Tejashwi Yadav on the Waqf Bill:
Turning his focus to the contentious Waqf Bill, Tejashwi pledged to block its passage in the assembly.
“I want to appeal to Nitish Kumar to oppose the bill if he believes in the principles of the Constitution. I also criticize Lallan Singh for supporting the bill in Parliament. Nitish Kumar still had the opportunity to rectify these errors and safeguard his credibility among voters,’ Yadav said.
Political Context:
Tejashwi Yadav’s comments reflect the deepening rift between Bihar’s political factions, with the RJD targeting both the BJP and JD(U) for what it perceives as historical inaccuracies and anti-minority policies. The debates surrounding the Waqf Bill and the legacy of reservation policies underscore the critical role of social justice and minority rights in the state’s political discourse.
Also Read: Tejashwi Yadav and Samrat Chaudhary confronted over 65% reservation in the Bihar assembly.
EOM.