Patna, September 13 (Daily Kiran) : Tejashwi Yadav, the national executive president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly, launched a fierce critique of both the central and state governments on Sunday. He claimed that over 4.5 million people in Bihar are affected by the floods, yet the authorities remain insensitive to this serious crisis. Yadav stated that the “double-engine” government is failing, with both engines metaphorically on fire and the state treasury running empty.
During a press conference in Patna, Yadav revealed that he has written letters to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Prime Minister addressing issues such as flooding and erosion in Raghopur, but has received no responses. He emphasized that regardless of government replies, those in power must work for the people who elected them. The RJD leader has urged the Prime Minister to declare the floods in Bihar a national disaster, provide special financial packages, and facilitate relief efforts through the military and air force.
Yadav criticized the lack of concrete action from the central government so far. He pointed out that despite having over 30 NDA MPs and several central ministers from Bihar, none have managed to secure special assistance for the state. He drew a comparison to the government’s swift response during floods and heavy rains in Gujarat, alleging discrimination against Bihar. He noted that while the Prime Minister engages with Gujarat’s Chief Minister post-disaster, no such urgency is shown for the millions affected in Bihar.
He stressed that over 4.5 million affected individuals is no small number. Yadav accused the state government of financial mismanagement, claiming that nearly 4,000 crore rupees were withdrawn from the contingency fund just before the disaster and spent on routine schemes and pensions. He recalled former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s assertion that disaster victims should have first claim on government resources, questioning where this principle has gone.
Yadav affirmed that it is the opposition’s duty to voice the people’s suffering before the government. While RJD workers have distributed relief supplies to the best of their ability, he insisted that comprehensive relief and rescue operations are the government’s responsibility. He noted that many areas still have standing water, residents are living without electricity, and complaints about the relief efforts are rampant.
Additionally, Yadav criticized the government’s handling of law and order issues. He highlighted the murder of an RJD district vice president, stating that despite filing a complaint with the police about threats, no action was taken, leading to the individual’s assassination days later. He accused law enforcement of failing to respond to the grievances of both elected officials and the public.
Yadav concluded by stating that the resolution of Bihar’s problems cannot be achieved through mere rhetoric. The government must act swiftly to provide immediate relief, adequate resources, and long-term solutions for flood victims. He warned that the public is watching and will respond accordingly in the future.
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