Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has become Mr India of Bihar politics. Ace director Shekhar Kapur gave a blockbuster to Indian cinema in 1987 with his film Mr India. The protagonist in the movie had the unique ability to disappear at will. Something similar is happening in Bihar today when the leader of the single largest party with 75 MLAs is invisible.
The questions need to be raised on his disappearance because the timing is very crucial in the way political development is taking place in the state. The NDA government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been on a bumpy ride ever since BJP poached six out of seven JDU MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh. However, the leader who is supposed to take the battle to the logical conclusion is missing from the entire scenario.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Tejashwi has turned Mr India. Even in the past also he has set similar examples when he disappeared from important and crucial political events in the state. He is not the only leader of opposition in Bihar legislative assembly but also the leader of Mahagathbandhan which makes him more responsible towards his duty.
Though NDA formed the government in Bihar but with less margin which has led to creating a narrative of Nitish heading a weak alliance. Amid the cold war between JDU and BJP, the opposition is not able to convert the opportunities into taking political mileage.
The present political scenario in the absence of Tejashwi epitomizes the army without a commander. Ruling party leaders mocking Tejashwi asking his whereabouts. Some even took a jibe at him claiming that when his political tourism will come to an end.
“It's an old habit of Tejashwi to give a miss to important political and social developments in Bihar. Without informing the leaders of his own party, he goes for vacation. Be it New year, Holi, Dussehra and many more occasions he is seldom available in Patna. He gave a call to farmer's agitation but he himself did not participate," said BJP spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel.
JDU too slammed Tejashwi over his regular absence claiming that he has nothing to do with Bihar affairs. “He does not feel comfortable in Patna and he has nothing to do with the affairs related to Bihar politics. I really don't know where he goes for a picnic outside Bihar during the new year. On several occasions be it assembly sessions or the programme called by his own party, he always gives a miss to it. He lives in a different world altogether and that was the reason the people of Bihar taught him a lesson this assembly poll, “said JDU spokesperson Nihora Yadav.
It Is factually correct that Tejashwi remains absent on many important occasions. When the party is really in his great need, he just disappeared. Be it the occasion of the budget session, children dying due to encephalitis, flood in Patna or the recent farmer's protest in the state capital over farm bill – Tejashwi participation was null.
RJD, however, tried to save the image of their leader claiming that people raising questions on Tejashwi's absence and presence should first look at their own house.
“Tejashwi Yadav is busy doing the work related to assembly polls in other states. He continued talking to the central committee members (New Delhi) of the RJD to discuss the issue related to assembly polls in other states. Those raising questions should first search for Nitish Kumar and Modi. They should first settle their own differences in NDA. Our leader Tejashwi is living up to the expectation of people of Bihar, “Shakti Yadav, RJD spokesperson said.
Shakti also said that whenever Bihar needs Tejashwi Yadav, he is always available. However, political expert Sanjay Kumar opined that the act of Tejashwi shows his immaturity.
“You can say it is the immaturity of Tejashwi Yadav. He feels that even though he will not be available, people will accept him but that's not the reality. On several occasions, I have seen him totally cut off from the political development in Bihar. When the Arunachal Pradesh episode is taking a crucial turn, he is nowhere in the scene. I must say it's nothing but complete ignorance and immaturity,” Kumar said.
It's been one week, Tejashwi is politically inactive and only making his presence through a few tweets. Last time, Tejashwi came in front of the media on December 23 to attend the programme at the party office to mark the birth anniversary of former PM late Chaudhary Charan Singh.
Also read: BJP's victory in Bihar polls, bypolls, local body elections shows people's faith in PM Modi: Irani
