A significant political controversy has erupted in Bihar after the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) used grand titles for their leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, respectively. The move has triggered a strong backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and even drawn objections from within the RJD itself.
The ‘Jan Nayak’ Flashpoint
The row began on Monday when the Congress party’s official social media handle on X (formerly Twitter) referred to Rahul Gandhi as ‘Jan Nayak’ (People’s Leader). This title has historically been synonymous with the respected socialist icon and former Bihar Chief Minister, Karpoori Thakur.
Compounding the issue, posters featuring RJD leader and INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, were also circulated with the title ‘Bihar ka nayak’ (Bihar’s Hero), leading to a comparison with the revered ‘Jan Nayak’ title.
BJP’s Sharp Retort: ‘Not Layak, Just Naa-Layak’
The BJP immediately seized on the reference, slamming both leaders and asserting that they are undeserving of such high praise.
- BJP National Spokesperson Ajay Alok launched a scathing attack, declaring that neither Rahul Gandhi nor Tejashwi Yadav are “layak” (capable) or “jan-nayak,” but are instead “naa-layak” (worthless). He went on to controversially label Rahul Gandhi as the “jan-nayak of naxals, anti-Indians, [and] Pakistanis.”
- BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad objected to the idea of self-bestowed titles. He stated that such honorifics are “earned through people’s work, not through the drums of the court,” citing the example of ‘Loknayak’ Jayaprakash Narayan.
- Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi concurred, saying the title of “Jan Nayak” must be “bestowed by the people,” not “self-assumed.” Manjhi also argued that referring to Tejashwi Yadav as “Jan-Nayak” would demean the legacy of Karpoori Thakur.
Objection from Within RJD and the Family
The controversy took a complicated turn with prominent figures within the Mahagathbandhan alliance and Tejashwi’s own family voicing their disagreement with the titles.
- RJD National General Secretary Abdul Bari Siddiqui, a senior Muslim face of the party, suggested that Tejashwi has not yet reached the stature of a people’s leader, stating, “It will take Tejashwi time to become Jan Nayak.”
- Tejashwi Yadav’s brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, who leads the Janshakti Janata Dal, also weighed in on October 25. He openly stated that Tejashwi cannot be a ‘jan nayak’ because his influence stems from their father (Lalu Prasad Yadav), not the public. Tej Pratap promised, “The day he truly becomes a jan nayak, we will be the first to call him one.”
The escalating row over these titles is occurring just weeks before the crucial Bihar Assembly Elections, which are scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with the counting of votes set for November 14.