Monday’s budget session in Bihar Vidhan Sabha descended into mayhem when RJD MLA Kumar Sarvesh’s remark labeling late leader Ram Vilas Paswan as ‘bechara’ triggered a massive backlash from treasury benches. LJP(RV) legislators, viewing it as a grave affront to their founder, engaged in fierce sloganeering and disrupted the agenda, compelling Speaker Prem Kumar to adjourn the house amid unrelenting din.
The flashpoint originated from Sarvesh’s speech last week, where he purportedly pitied Paswan’s fate. Both Dalit leaders, the comment struck a raw nerve, prompting NDA MLAs to encircle the offender and insist on an unqualified apology before resuming debates. RJD retaliated by hoisting demands for expanded 85% quota for backward castes, framing the row as a smokescreen for systemic injustices.
Media interactions post-adjournment revealed Sarvesh’s defense: his words were misconstrued, intended to lament current circumstances absent Paswan’s stewardship. LJP(RV) leaders, undeterred, branded it a Dalitphobic attack, with state chief Raju Tiwari leading calls for atonement. Sunday’s demonstrations outside, complete with Tejashwi Yadav effigy incinerations, set the stage for today’s confrontation.
This episode underscores simmering caste tensions and partisan divides in Bihar politics, potentially derailing critical legislative work. With opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav silent and Chirag Paswan notably absent from commentary, the saga tests alliances and loyalties ahead of future electoral battles.