PATNA: Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who has been labelled as a ‘migrant leader’ by ruling NDA, will embark on ‘Dhanyavad Yatra’ across the state after Makar Sankranti (January 15) to thank people for the vote and support given to RJD in the recent assembly elections.
RJD functionaries said though the schedule has not been fianlised yet, but the district level functionaries have been asked to start making necessary preparations it.
“Our leader Tejashwi Ji wants to thank people for making us the single largest party in the assembly elections. He will interact with people and express his gratitude through this yatra. Accordingly, public meetings will also be organized,” RJD spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan said.
Another RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said the yatra is also aimed at seeking support from the electorate in case of mid- term polls about which Tejashwi has repeatedly claimed in the past few weeks. “Tejashwi Ji has given an ultimatum to the state government up to Makar Sankranti to fulfil the big promises made during the elections, including creating 20 lakh employment opportunities and improvement of law and order scenario. However, the government has failed on both fronts. Thus, our leader will corner the government for making false promises,” Tiwari said.
He said mid-term election is imminent this year owing to the internal rift between NDA allies JD(U) and BJP. “After six of the seven JD(U) MLAs joined BJP in Arunachal Pradesh last months, the two parties are at loggerheads. They are likely to split very soon, which will pave way for mid-term polls this year. Tejashwi Ji will, thus, also seek support from people for such a scenario,” Tiwari said.
JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, however, rubbished the RJD claims of mid-term polls as “daydreaming”. “Except the unfortunate alliance with RJD for three years, the JD(U)-BJP pact in Bihar over the last two decades has always been welcomed and supported by the people. We don’t need any certificate from RJD about our alliance. They should stop daydreaming about mid-term polls,” he said.
Reacting on the accusation of not fulfilling the poll promises, Rajeev said: “The government took major decisions on the issues mentioned in the election manifesto in the first cabinet meeting. While the process has already been initiated for creating 20 lakh employment opportunities, CM Nitish reviewed the progress of other schemes included under Saat Nischay 2.0 on Monday. As far as the law and order is concerned, Bihar is still at 23rd position in the country in terms of number of cognisable offences per one lakh population and at 29th in crime against women. Thus, it doesn’t matter what Tejashwi is saying as people know the reality.”