Misuse of central agencies against Oppn leaders key poll issue: Tejashwi

RJD leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav insisted on Sunday (March 17) that the misuse of investigative agencies such as the CBI and ED against the leaders of the INDIA alliance will be a significant concern in the Lok Sabha polls.

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance comprises the Congress and more than 20 opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

ED, CBI misused

Talking to reporters on his arrival at Mumbai airport, Yadav said, "The ED and CBI are working against the alliance partners and it is the issue on which the alliance will fight the elections."

'Undercurrent' in Bihar

Yadav added there is an "undercurrent" in Bihar which will lead to "astonishing" results in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

He emphasised that the outcome of the polls will favour the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance), indicating a strong wave against the NDA (National Democratic Alliance).

Achievements

Yadav highlighted the achievements of the previous grand alliance government in Bihar during its 17 months in power, contrasting it with what he perceives as the lack of progress during the BJP-JDU rule spanning 17 years.

"People of Bihar know what we (the grand alliance government) did in Bihar in our 17 months' rule. The work that was done in 17 months could not be done in 17 years (of BJP-JDU rule)", Yadav said.

He asserted that the people of Bihar recognise the efforts made by the grand alliance and believe that significant change is possible under their leadership.

Increase in quotas

The RJD leader emphasised the importance of the grand alliance's policies, particularly the increase in quotas for deprived castes from 50 to 65 per cent in state government jobs and educational institutions, based on a caste-based survey report.

Yadav criticised the NDA government at the Centre for not placing the legislation to increase reservations in the ninth schedule of the Constitution, which would protect it from legal scrutiny. He questioned Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's silence on this issue.

"We had requested the Centre to put the legislation (of increasing reservation) in the ninth schedule of the Constitution to make them immune to legal scrutiny, but it has not been done by the NDA government at the Centre. Why is Chief Minister Nitish Kumar maintaining silence over the issue", said Yadav.

BJP's claim 'unrealistic'

Regarding the BJP's claim of winning 400 parliamentary seats, Yadav dismissed it as unrealistic, sarcastically stating that they are free to claim even 1,000 seats, although the Lok Sabha comprises only 543 seats. He urged the BJP to make whatever claims they wish.

(With agency inputs)