Tejashwi Yadav Fires 15 Questions At PM Modi As Bihar Poll Battle Heats Up: 'Why Are We At Bottom?'

Tejashwi Yadav launched the 'battle for Bihar' on Monday by posing 15 questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is allied with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's ruling Janata Dal (United).

These questions were raised ahead of the Prime Minister's visit to the state-set to hold an Assembly election this year-to release the 19th tranche of direct cash transfers for farmers.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader criticised the Prime Minister over Bihar's numerous challenges, including low literacy rates, lack of per capita investment, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and slow industrial growth. He also highlighted the long-standing demand for 'special status', which would unlock additional central government funds.

"The people of Bihar gave these people a chance to run the 'double-engine' government... Narendra Modi has been the Prime Minister for 11 years at the centre, and Nitish Kumar has been Chief Minister of Bihar for 20 years. And now the people want to ask some valid questions and (do not want) lies and rhetoric," Yadav said in a statement issued in the morning.

"Bihar is at the bottom. Bihar ranks lowest in per capita income and investment. Bihar ranks lowest in farmer income, and Bihar is number one in unemployment, migration, and poverty."

Yadav vs PM on Jobs and Industries

In a scathing attack, Yadav alleged that the Prime Minister only visited Bihar ahead of elections and remarked, "... when he comes, he speaks in slogans and tricks the people of Bihar," referring to what he described as unfulfilled promises regarding the revival of sugar mills and industries in the state.

"The Prime Minister promised to start Motihari's sugar mill in 2017 and drink tea with its sugar... will he tell us when he will drink this tea? When will he start the jute mill in Katihar?"

"Why was Bihar not given a textile park under the PM Textile Park Yojana?"

"When will he give jobs in the Railways and Army to unemployed people?" he demanded. "Why is Bihar top in poverty and unemployment even after 20 years of PM Modi's rule in the state?"

"What happened to special packages (of centre aid) for Bihar?"

On Farmers' Problems

Tejashwi Yadav was equally critical of the government's handling of farmers' issues.

"What happened? Do you understand issues faced by Bihar's farmers? They are dying... and nothing has been done for them. They promised to double farmers' incomes by 2022... but forget doubling, farmers are now being crushed by inflation," he said.

"Bihar's farmers face different problems from other states. There are more agricultural labourers and sharecroppers in Bihar. What has the 'double-engine' government done for them?"

"Why is the income of farmers in Bihar the lowest in the country?"

These concerns are particularly significant given that over two-thirds of Bihar's population is engaged in agriculture or related activities, a much higher proportion than the national average.

Ahead of his visit to Bihar today, the Prime Minister declared that the country was proud of its 'annadatas' (food providers) and commended his government for six years of direct cash transfers to farmers.

During his visit, he is expected to release ₹22,000 crore for farmers.

"In the last 10 years, due to our efforts, the agriculture sector in the country has developed and the financial help for millions of small farmers has increased their access to the market," he said on X. In another post, he added, "Costs have reduced and their income has increased."

On Caste Census and Migration

Yadav's criticism also extended to issues of migration and the caste census-contentious topics that frequently spark disputes between the BJP and opposition parties.

Regarding the latter, he questioned why the BJP-led government had not implemented the previous state government's decision to introduce 65 per cent reservation for backward classes, other backward classes, and scheduled castes and tribes in state jobs and educational institutions.

That policy was enacted in 2023 when Nitish Kumar was still part of the INDIA opposition bloc and allied with the RJD. It followed a contentious caste survey in Bihar, which revealed that over 80 per cent of the state's population belonged to BCs, OBCs, SCs, or STs.

However, its implementation was halted by the Supreme Court in September last year after it issued a notice to the state and central governments, following a High Court ruling that struck down the reservation.

"The Prime Minister should tell us why he is not including 65 per cent reservation passed by Bihar's 'mahagathbandhan' government... he should tell us why he is not conducting a caste census in the country... he should tell us what he has done to stop migration from Bihar," Yadav stated.

Bihar 2025 Election

The date for the Bihar Assembly election has not yet been announced, but it is expected to take place in October or November and will be overseen by the new Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.

In the 2020 election, Yadav's RJD emerged as the single-largest party, winning 75 of the state's 234 seats. The BJP secured 74, Nitish Kumar's JDU obtained 43, and the Congress won just 19.