Patna: Ahead of an opposition meeting in Patna, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav claimed that the state’s ruling grand alliance would stop “Narendra Modi’s chariot” in 2024, just like his father Lalu Prasad had stopped “Advani’s yatra”. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has pledged to form a united opposition to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
It is noteworthy that in 1990, the then Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad stopped Advani’s nationwide ‘Rath Yatra’ in Sitamarhi, terming it as a threat to communal harmony and ordered his arrest.
‘BJP failed to fulfill promises’
He said the opposition parties are coming together to defeat the ruling BJP at the Centre. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader accused the ruling BJP at the Center of “failing to deliver on promises” made in the past and of raising the “Hindu versus Muslim” binary whenever its shortcomings were pointed out.
Yadav made the remarks in a rousing speech at a function organized by the state’s Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Union.
Yadav said, “Whether it was Hindu, Muslim or any other religious community, all had fought for the freedom of the country.” But rest assured, as long as leaders like Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar are around, no one can dare to do something like this… The country is not one’s father’s property,” Yadav said to thunderous applause.
‘Mahagathbandhan will stop Narendra Modi rath’
The Bihar Deputy CM said, “Lalu had stopped the chariot (chariot) of LK Advani. Now the Nitish Kumar-led ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (Narendra Modi) chariot will stop.”
Referring to Kumar’s opposition unity campaign, Yadav said he is trying to ensure that the Congress and regional parties come together. “If these people (BJP) return to power, this country will be ruined,” he said.
Yadav alleged that attempts were being made to rewrite the history of the country. He claimed, “It seems as if a dictator is sitting on the chair of power and we are forced to follow his orders. The constitution is being tampered with. Nothing meaningful has been achieved.”
‘BJP trying to divert attention by talking about Hindu vs Muslim’
“Promises like two crore jobs, Rs 15 lakh in every bank account, doubling of farmers’ income by the year 2022 were made (by those in power)…..none of these were fulfilled. When we question these failed promises, they try to divert public attention by talking about Hindu vs Muslim, Mandir vs Masjid.”
A meeting of opposition parties is scheduled to be held in Patna on June 23 and will be attended by top leaders of anti-BJP parties, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi.