Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, March 21, 2024: The upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election is set to be a decisive moment for the INDIA bloc in Bihar, particularly for Tejashwi Yadav, who faces the challenge of proving his acceptance among voters on a national stage.
Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly, demonstrated his political strength during the 2020 state elections, when his party emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats. Despite taking on heavyweights such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav nearly led the Mahagathbandhan to victory.
However, Lok Sabha elections are different from Assembly polls, with national issues often overshadowing local concerns. Analysts believe this makes the 2024 election a bigger challenge for Tejashwi, who will seek to match or surpass the electoral success of his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, from two decades ago.
RJD’s performance in past Lok Sabha polls highlights the Stakes for Tejashwi—2004—RJD contested 26 seats and won an impressive 22 seats, while ally Congress contested 4 and won 3. 2009—the party contested 24 seats but managed to win only 4 seats. 2014—a repeat of 2009, with RJD winning 4 seats again. 2019—the worst-ever performance with the party failing to win a single seat despite contesting 19.
Tejashwi Yadav is confident of a comeback:
Despite past setbacks, RJD leaders are optimistic about a turnaround in 2024. “We cannot compare the situation of 2019 with 2024,” said Mritunjay Tiwari, RJD spokesperson. “In the last 10 years, a huge anti-incumbency factor has been working against the Narendra Modi government. Whatever his government promised turned into Jumla (empty promises).”
Public support during the Jan Vishwas Yatra gave a boost to the RJD:
Tiwari pointed to the success of Tejashwi’s Jan Vishwas Yatra and the massive Jan Vishwas Maharally held at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, on March 3 as evidence of growing public support.
He added that the INDIA bloc’s unity—with opposition parties contesting in a one-to-one fight against the NDA—will prevent vote division and deliver “a surprising result” in Bihar.
As the first phase of polling approaches, all eyes will be on Tejashwi Yadav to see whether he can lead RJD back to its glory days and strengthen the INDIA bloc’s position in the state.
Also Read: Tejashwi Yadav criticized the Nitish Kumar-led NDA during the 3rd phase of Karyakarta Darshan.
EOM.