Political tempers flared in Patna as LJP (Ram Vilas) supporters staged a vehement protest against RJD’s ‘bechara’ jibe at late Ram Vilas Paswan, culminating in the burning of Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav’s effigy at Kargil Chowk on Sunday.
The assembly budget session remark by RJD MLA Kumar Sarvajeet has ignited widespread indignation, with LJP leaders framing it as a grave insult to a leader who rose from humble beginnings to national prominence. Arun Bharti, MP and provincial organizer, minced no words: ‘RJD habitually disrespects Dalits and the poor – this won’t stand.’
Bharti demanded Tejashwi Yadav’s unconditional apology inside the legislative assembly, pledging sustained action otherwise. Joining him, provincial president Raju Tiwari lamented RJD’s slide into irrelevance due to such faux pas, underscoring Paswan’s lifelong commitment to societal welfare across castes.
Chirag Paswan, the party helmsman and Union Minister, had already fired salvos on Saturday, deeming the language intolerable. This unified front from LJP ranks signals a robust mobilization effort to safeguard Paswan’s dignified image.
As Bihar navigates its assembly’s heated debates, this incident underscores the emotional pull of legacy figures in state politics. It risks deepening divides in the opposition camp, potentially reshaping alliances. LJP’s street-level fervor demonstrates the high stakes involved, with workers united in their refusal to let the slur fade quietly.