Patna: If the predictions of the exit polls of Bihar Assembly elections turn out to be true, the politics of Bihar will witness the beginning of a new chapter headed by Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. It would not be exaggerating to say that the regime of the Lalu-led RJD witnessed the backwardness.
Tejashwi has emerged as the main competitor of the incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Yadav and has set a tough goal for himself. If he fails to achieve his goal, he too would be held responsible for keeping Bihar backward like other political leaders before him. Tejashvi faces tough challenges at every step of his politics.
Lalu Yadav's photo removed from campaign posters
It would be a challenge for Tejashwi Yadav to keep the vote bank nursed by his father intact. Political analysts are still at a loss to find out who actually guided Tejashvi in strategizing his election campaign. By removing the photograph of Lalu Yadav from RJD’s posters, Tejashvi gave a strong message to the party’s rank and file that discipline would be followed in the party and nothing else would be tolerated. Tejashwi Yadav also made it clear that though RJD was founded by his father now its policy would not be the same. When Tejashvi apologized from a public platform for the wrongs done during the 15 years of his father Lalu Yadav’s rule, it was interpreted as a statement of frustration. However, he proved this wrong by giving a new turn to politics.
Hindustan Avam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) Supremo Upendra Kushwaha failed in their attempt to put pressure on Tejashwi Yadav in moulding the grand alliance as they wished. Both Manjhi and Kushwaha left RJD and Tejashvi paving the path for the solo election campaign of Tejashwi.
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People repose faith in RJD
People of Bihar seemed to have reposed their faith in RJD once again. They believe that Tejashvi would do something different. Along with the promise of government jobs, Tejashwi has to also keep an eye on those 'anti-social' elements who try to tarnish the image of the party.
Tejashwi needs to break the stereotype image of RJD as being a party of the Yadavs. He also needs to fight the propaganda that during Lalu’s rule there was jungle raj in Bihar. While RJD gave tickets to musclemen like Ritlal Yadav from Danapur, Anant Singh from Mokamah, Rajballabh Yadav and Rama Singh, they need to be given strict warnings. If such elements who took advantage during Lalu Yadav’s rule continue to enjoy the liberty to act as they wish, there is no doubt that Bihar would stand to suffer much and all efforts of Tejashvi would go waste.
Rule of law is a challenge
The first political challenge before Tejashvi Yadav would be to fulfil the promise of jobs he has made to the youth during the election campaign. This would be the most difficult challenge and his greatest success if he manages to provide jobs. The biggest question that was raised during Lalu Yadav’s rule was about the rule of law. To cite an example, it was with the backing of the RJD that strongman Ritlal Yadav had established his reign of terror in Danapur.
The statement Tejashvi Yadav had made before the RJD legislature party after taking oath as the deputy chief minister on November 20, 2015, reflected his temper. He had then warned the party legislators that they would be held responsible and pay for for their actions. This had stunned those legislators with a criminal background who thought that they would be able to get away with anything as RJD shared power then.
Sources close to Lalu Yadav said that Tejashvi does not carry the image of his father because the political atmosphere had undergone a change since his father’s time when he entered politics. Now the question is how will Tejashvi keep under check those who enjoyed political protection during Lalu’s rule.
Tejashwi, who has seen the ups and downs of the political career of his family, will have to keep up the expectations of the people. The greatest challenge before Tejashvi Yadav is to fulfil the poll promises he had made to the people of Bihar.
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