Tejashwi Yadav attempts to dent EBC vote through Atipichda Jagao rally in Bihar

The Hindu

03-05-2025

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday (May 3, 2025) asked people belonging to the extremely backward classes (EBCs), considered core voters of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal (United), to change their leadership choices in the upcoming Bihar Assembly election.
Mr. Yadav asserted that Bihar no longer needed a khatara gaadi (outdated vehicle) as the time has come to bring in a new vehicle.
He was speaking during the 'Atipichda Jagao – Tejashwi Sarkar Banao (Awaken the EBCs and bring Tejaswi's government)' rally organised by the RJD's EBC cell at Patna's Miller High School Ground.
Key vote bank
Large numbers of people from EBC groups turned up to attend the rally and continuously shouted slogans in support of Mr. Yadav, calling him the next Chief Minister of Bihar.
According to Bihar's caste-based survey, EBCs form the largest block of the population, with a vote bank of more than 36% of the electorate. This chunk is considered a key reason Mr. Kumar has remained in power in Bihar for the past 20 years.
Mr. Yadav alleged that the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was doing anti-constitutional work against the interests of Dalits, backward and extremely backward classes.
The rally was presided over by the RJD's EBC State president Arvind Kumar Sahani. Mr. Yadav's elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Yadav were also present.
'Atrocities against EBCs, Dalits'
The Leader of Opposition Mr. Yadav accused Mr. Kumar of promoting unemployment and migration along with a continuous rise in atrocities against backward classes. He claimed that they are being put behind bars in false cases.
'After prohibition, the people of the backward and Dalit society are being harassed and imprisoned. BJP has hijacked Nitish ji and he himself gives proof of being hijacked by BJP in public meetings, saying that now he will not go here and there,' Mr. Yadav said.
'The JD(U) is being run by the same people who are engaged in strengthening the politics of BJP. No leader of the backward class has got a good Ministry in Bihar. People sitting in the government, tell us how many DMs and SPs are from the backward class? Nitish ji is tired and the government is running for show, with the help of retired officials,' Mr. Yadav said.
'Give RJD a chance'
Praising the work done by his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for the backward classes, Mr. Yadav said his parents had increased the reservation for the backward castes from 18% to 25% in educational institutions and government jobs.
He added that under the Mahagathbandhan government, the reservation was increased from 50% to 65% and a proposal was sent from the Bihar Cabinet to the Central government to include the State in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution, which never happened.
Mr. Yadav claimed that corruption has increased under NDA rule, allegeing that no work is done without giving bribes.
'Give me one chance, form the new government and I guarantee you job and security. Tejashwi Yadav will give you everything and I will not compromise with law and order. Tejashwi will send to jail all those people who are engaged in corruption,' Mr. Yadav appealed.