The political climate in Bihar is heating up as the 2025 Assembly elections approach, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a strong attack against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav. The BJP accuses Yadav of engaging in communal politics and attempting to polarize the electorate along religious lines. This accusation stems from Yadav's remarks concerning the Waqf Act, a law concerning Muslim religious properties.
The BJP has labeled Yadav a "Maulana," a term for a Muslim religious leader, and alleges that he is trying to appease a specific community for electoral gains. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia has asserted that Yadav and his allies want to discard the Constitution and implement Sharia law, prioritizing the empowerment of one particular religion. Bhatia questioned Yadav's understanding of the Constitution and the judicial process, highlighting that the Waqf Act was passed by Parliament and is currently under review by the Supreme Court. He further accused Yadav of disrespecting the apex court by making statements against the law.
Yadav, addressing a "Save Waqf, Save Constitution" rally in Patna, claimed that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on its way out and that a new government led by the opposition alliance would consign the Waqf Act to the dustbin. The BJP has seized on this statement, arguing that it demonstrates the RJD's disregard for the Constitution and its intention to appease a specific vote bank. The BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi accused Yadav of promoting anti-constitutional views and supporting the imposition of Sharia law. He further questioned if the INDIA alliance plans to implement Sharia law in Bihar.
In response to the BJP's charges, Tejashwi Yadav has defended his comments and accused the BJP of pursuing a communal agenda. He drew a parallel between his stance on the Waqf Act and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's withdrawal of the farm laws, arguing that unconstitutional laws should not be allowed to take effect. Yadav has also criticized the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to revise voter rolls in Bihar, alleging a conspiracy to disenfranchise poor and marginalized voters. He claims that the BJP-led central government is attempting to suppress opposition votes.
The political atmosphere in Bihar is further complicated by other factors. Prashant Kishor, a political strategist, has predicted that Nitish Kumar will not be the Chief Minister after the upcoming elections, claiming that over 60% of the people in Bihar desire change. Posters featuring both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the Janata Dal (United) party headquarters in Patna signal alliance solidarity, though some opposition members call it a "surrender" to the BJP. Meanwhile, Pashupati Kumar Paras, chief of Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) and former Union Minister, has announced his party's exit from the NDA.
As the Bihar Assembly elections draw closer, the accusations and counter-accusations between the BJP and RJD highlight the intense political competition and the use of communal narratives. The election's outcome will depend on various factors, including the ability of different parties to mobilize their supporters, address the concerns of the electorate, and navigate the complex social and political landscape of Bihar.
