New Delhi [India], February 18: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, has strongly criticized Bihar’s Opposition Leader, Tejashwi Yadav, for comparing former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav with Karpoori Thakur, a revered figure in the state’s socialist movement. Rai said that Lalu Yadav should be “awarded for protecting kidnappers, ruining development, and defaming Bihar.”
Tejashwi Yadav, during a public meeting in Sitamarhi, Bihar, praised Lalu Yadav by drawing parallels with Karpoori Thakur. He said, “Those who used to abuse Karpoori Thakur when he implemented reservation, look at his power today, those who used to abuse him are now giving him Bharat Ratna, this is the real power of socialism. Those who are abusing Lalu Yadav today, in future, the same people will give Bharat Ratna to him as well.”
In response, Nityanand Rai termed the comparison between Lalu Yadav and Karpoori Thakur as “unfortunate” and pointed out that Thakur’s legacy was one of empowering the Dalits, backward classes, and the marginalized, a work that continued under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rai emphasized that Modi’s government had been committed to the welfare of the underprivileged, contrasting it with Lalu Yadav’s alleged failures during his tenure in Bihar.
Rai further criticized Tejashwi Yadav, claiming that if any award were to be given to Lalu Yadav, it should be for “protecting kidnappers” and “ruining development.” He accused Lalu Yadav of being responsible for the “jungle raj” in Bihar, where lawlessness and crime were rampant during his rule. “He should be given an award for ruining development, as one who defamed Bihar, as one who established jungle raj in Bihar,” Rai stated.
The Minister also raised concerns about Lalu Yadav’s association with the Congress party, pointing out that the Congress had historically opposed reservation for backward classes and had a poor record on supporting democratic values. Rai questioned Lalu’s alignment with Congress, considering their history of “insulting” Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and undermining the interests of Dalits and backward classes.
Rai reflected on the support given by the Janata Party and Jan Sangh to Karpoori Thakur’s government, highlighting how Lalu Yadav, during his tenure, failed to give constitutional status to the OBC Commission, despite being in power with the Congress. He noted that Prime Minister Modi had done more for the backward classes and had also honored Karpoori Thakur with the Bharat Ratna, acknowledging his contributions to social justice in Bihar.
The BJP leader also criticized the law and order situation under Lalu Yadav’s leadership, accusing him of enabling a protection racket for criminals. Rai alleged that kidnappers were given protection by Lalu’s ministers, and hooliganism and lawlessness were rampant during his rule. “When there was kidnapping during his rule in Bihar, the deal with kidnappers was done in the CM’s residence with the knowledge of Lalu Prasad,” Rai remarked.
Concluding his statement, Rai expressed confidence that the people of Bihar would not accept Tejashwi Yadav, who he claimed was following his father’s path and attempting to destroy the state’s social structure. He asserted that Tejashwi’s ambitions would ultimately fail.