Tejashwi Yadav credits Lalu for upliftment of EBCs, criticized BJP-JD(U) alliance over reservation and governance.
Patna, May 3, 2025: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav sharpened his election pitch by addressing a large rally of extremely backward communities at Miller High School Ground in Patna, where he emphasized the historic role of Lalu Prasad Yadav in empowering marginalized castes and accused the BJP-JD(U) government of systematically undermining social justice.
“Before the 90s, extremely backward people couldn’t wear slippers, draw water from wells, ride horses at weddings, or wear new clothes. Lalu Yadav changed that. He gave you dignity, political representation, and a voice,” Tejashwi declared.
He asserted that Lalu Yadav’s social revolution paved the way for EBCs to assert their rights today and that the RJD would further increase their political participation by giving more tickets to candidates from the community in the upcoming elections.
“If you take one step, we’ll take four. I don’t want to do politics for just five years I’ll work till my hair turns grey,” he said, projecting himself as a long-term champion of backward and oppressed communities.
Tejashwi Yadav criticism Nitish Government and BJP:
Tejashwi Yadav strongly attacked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar accusing him of failing Bihar and acting under the influence of the BJP.
“Unemployment, migration, and atrocities against backward communities have increased under his rule. The prohibition law has been weaponized against Dalits and EBCs. People are being jailed, tortured, and oppressed in record numbers,” he said.
He alleged that Nitish Kumar, now surrounded by retired officials, is merely a figurehead and he handed control of JD(U) to Sanjay Jha in the Rajya Sabha and Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha, both of whom, he claimed, are helping consolidate BJP’s influence in the state.
“How many DMs and SPs in Bihar today are from backward castes? Backward leaders have not been given significant ministries. The system is based and unjust,” he charged.
On Reservation and Caste Census:
Tejashwi Yadav detailed his government’s move during the Mahagathbandhan tenure to increase reservation for backward classes from 49.5% to 65% and send the proposal for inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution a move, he alleged, being undermined by BJP through litigation and delay tactics.
He accused the “Double engine government” of stealing 16% reservation and suppressing 7% entitlement for backward communities due to its “anti-reservation mindset.”
On the caste census, Tejashwi praised Lalu Yadav’s foresight saying: “Lalu Prasad once said he’d make even RSS people hold their ears to get a caste census done. Today, the Modi government has adopted our idea as proof of Lalu Yadav’s visionary thinking.”
Also Read: Tejashwi Yadav unveils ‘reservation master plan’, challenges BJP-RSS on social justice.
EOM