In a bold escalation, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) leader Mukesh Sahani has thrown down the gauntlet to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), daring them to publicly declare their chief ministerial candidate.
"If Nitish Kumar is truly the NDA's 'Jan Sevak', let them say it loud and clear," Sahani challenged during a fiery press conference in Patna today, amplifying the pre-poll drama just days before the first phase voting on November 6.
The poster skirmish underscores the razor-sharp rivalry ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. RJD has unleashed a barrage of hoardings projecting Tejashwi Yadav, son of party patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav, as the "Jan Nayak" (people's hero) – a title evoking revolutionary fervor.
Vibrant images of the young leader promise jobs, development, and a corruption-free Bihar, captivating youth voters in urban pockets like Patna and Muzaffarpur. Countering this narrative, JD(U) has flooded streets with posters hailing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the steadfast "Jan Sevak" (public servant), highlighting his governance record on education and infrastructure.
The "Jan Nayak" moniker has sparked controversy, with NDA leaders decrying it as an appropriation of the legacy of socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, who earned the sobriquet during his tenure as Bihar's CM in the 1970s. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently weighed in, accusing "some people" of trying to "steal" Thakur's title.
RJD's Abdul Bari Siddiqui downplayed the row, quipping, "Tejashwi is Lalu's legacy; becoming a Jan Nayak takes time, but he's on the path." Adding fuel, Independent MP Pappu Yadav had earlier stirred the pot by dubbing Congress's Rahul Gandhi the "Jan Nayak," drawing sharp rebuttals from the BJP.
Amid this cacophony, top national heavyweights are descending on Bihar to rally their bases. Union Home Minister Amit Shah kicks off today with back-to-back addresses in Darbhanga, Samastipur, and Begusarai, bolstering NDA candidates.
Rahul Gandhi joins forces with Tejashwi for joint rallies in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga, signaling the Mahagathbandhan's unity push. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath are slated for whirlwind tours across Darbhanga, Begusarai, and beyond on Wednesday.
The campaign calendar intensifies further: PM Modi lands in Bihar on October 30 for meetings in Muzaffarpur and Chhapra, coinciding with Shah's release of the BJP manifesto. Modi's itinerary includes a Patna roadshow on November 2 and rallies in Ara and Nawada.
On the opposition front, Rahul heads to Nalanda tomorrow, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stepping up for meetings in Lakhisarai, Rosda, and more from November 3. This star-powered blitz underscores Bihar's pivotal role in national politics, where caste equations and development promises collide.
Yet, the glamour masks grim realities exposed by a fresh ADR-Bihar Election Watch report: A staggering 27% of 1,314 candidates in the first phase face serious criminal charges, including murder, rape, and crimes against women. "This demands voter vigilance," urged ADR's Jagdeep Chhokar, urging ethical polling.
RJD's internal tensions bubbled over when Tej Pratap Yadav snapped at reporters quizzing him on Tejashwi's manifesto. "Why always Tejashwi? Ask about real issues!" he retorted, highlighting family frictions even as the party unites against NDA.
Sahani's dare to the NDA – reveal the CM face or risk voter backlash – could reshape alliances. With polls predicting a hung assembly, Bihar's electorate, weary of flip-flops, craves clarity. As posters clash and leaders descend, the battle for Bihar's soul rages on, promising a verdict that could echo across India.
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