Tejashwi rebuts Chirag's charge of 'no Muslim RJD chief minister'
What's the story
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has slammed Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan over his remarks on the RJD's stance toward Muslim political representation in Bihar. The controversy was sparked by Paswan's criticism of the Mahagathbandhan alliance's choice of leaders for the upcoming Bihar elections, accusing them of treating Muslims as just a vote bank.
Accusations
'NDA people had set fire to Chirag's family'
Yadav, on Saturday, accused Paswan of compromising his principles for political gain. "NDA people had set fire to Chirag's family," he said, referring to past tensions between Paswan and his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras. Yadav also claimed that Paswan is uncomfortable within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). "Chirag is with NDA in greed for power. Chirag compromises for power," he added.
Leadership criticism
Paswan's criticism of RJD
Paswan had earlier criticized the RJD for not supporting Muslim leadership in Bihar. He recalled how his father, Ram Vilas Paswan, sacrificed his party in 2005 to support a Muslim Chief Minister but was let down by the RJD. "RJD was not ready for a Muslim Chief Minister even in 2005," he said. The Union minister added, "And today in 2025, it is neither ready to give a Muslim chief minister nor a deputy chief minister (to Bihar)."
Election preparations
Bihar elections to be held in 2 phases
The Mahagathbandhan has announced Tejashwi Yadav, the incumbent Leader of Opposition, as its Chief Ministerial candidate and Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party as Deputy Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with results to be declared on November 14.