Patna: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has accused Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Opposition’s chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Prasad Yadav of deceiving Muslim voters through impractical election promises. The controversy follows Yadav’s announcement to double panchayat representatives’ honorarium, offer pensions with a Rs 50 lakh security cover, and repeal the Waqf (Amendment) Act if his alliance came to power.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said that Yadav’s claim to repeal the Waqf Act was misleading since a state government has no authority to revoke a law passed by Parliament. He alleged that Yadav’s statements were politically motivated and aimed at appeasing Muslim voters ahead of the elections.
BJP OBC Morcha national spokesperson Nikhil Anand echoed this criticism, saying the RJD’s promise violated constitutional principles. He argued that the party was using the Muslim community as a vote bank rather than addressing their real issues.
JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar questioned RJD’s credibility and cited the neglect of the Anjum Islamia Hall during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s rule as evidence of the party’s failure to serve the community. He added that the hall was restored under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
Meanwhile, JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha said RJD’s 15-year rule did little for Muslims or the poor, while Hindustani Awam Morcha leader Jitan Ram Manjhi accused Tejashwi of repeating the same “deceptive tactics” used during the Lok Sabha elections.
