Bhagalpur, Bihar: The political temperature in Bihar’s election campaign soared today as Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a blistering attack on RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan’s Chief Ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, over his public admiration for Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin.
Addressing a rally, Shah targeted the unity of the opposition INDIA bloc by connecting Tejashwi Yadav to controversial past remarks allegedly made by a leader from Stalin’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, which is a key ally in the national coalition.
The Heart of the Controversy: “Biharis Compared with Beedis”
Amit Shah’s core claim centred on an alleged derogatory comparison against the people of Bihar.
> 🎙️ Quote from Amit Shah’s Rally:
> “Someone asked Lalu’s son [Tejashwi Yadav] who his favourite CM is. He said Stalin. Do you know who he is? His party compares Biharis with beedis! His party insults Biharis and disgraces them. Tejashwi’s favourite is this CM.”
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This statement is a direct attempt by the NDA to leverage past regional and linguistic controversies to create a wedge between the Mahagathbandhan’s leader and the Bihari electorate, particularly those who have migrated for work. The reference is to previous disparaging remarks by certain DMK leaders that have been interpreted as demeaning to migrant workers from North Indian states, including Bihar.
The Political Backlash: Why the Attack Matters
Tejashwi Yadav has previously expressed admiration for the governance and social justice model of M.K. Stalin, and the two have shared the stage at recent INDIA bloc events, including the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar. By highlighting the alleged “beedi” remark, Amit Shah is attempting to turn this alliance into a liability for the RJD leader on his home turf.
* Regional Sentiments: The attack taps into deep-seated regional pride and sensitivities, especially on the issue of dignity for Biharis working across the country. By portraying the DMK as ‘anti-Bihari,’ the BJP seeks to undermine the credibility of Tejashwi Yadav’s national alliance.
* Welfare & Development: Shah countered Tejashwi’s focus on unemployment by shifting the narrative to regional pride and cultural issues. He also used the opportunity to reinforce the NDA’s development agenda and his party’s commitment to the construction of a Sita temple in Bihar, while accusing the DMK of insulting Sanatan Dharma and opposing the Ram Temple.
* “Jungle Raj” Warning: Shah reiterated the NDA’s familiar warning against the return of ‘Jungle Raj’ (misrule) under an RJD-led government, linking Tejashwi’s politics to the alleged past terror of the Lalu Prasad era.
The Mahagathbandhan and the DMK are yet to issue an official, detailed response to this specific allegation in the context of the Bihar elections. However, the BJP’s strategy is clear: paint the MGB as aligned with forces that disrespect the people and cultural values of Bihar, forcing Tejashwi Yadav to defend not just his party, but his allies as well.
This high-profile political mudslinging demonstrates how national alliance dynamics are being intensely scrutinised and weaponized in the final phase of the Bihar Assembly polls.
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h jobs’ promise?
