Patna: Senior BJP leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on October 15 criticised the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for potentially fielding the son of late Shahabuddin, a convicted criminal, in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.
Speaking to ANI, Prasad questioned the RJD’s intentions and asked how they could promise to create a “new Bihar” with such a candidate, alleging that this move was an attempt by the RJD to revive the politics of fear and crime in the state.
Criticising RJD’s candidate choice, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “We’ve heard that the son of late Shahabuddin is being fielded. The decision has been made, it’s not being announced, but it’s been confirmed. So what message are you (RJD) sending? You want to bring that same fear into Bihar… His son is being brought in, and they’re talking about creating a new Bihar.”
He also attacked RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and said, “Tejashwi Yadav is saying that we want to create a new Bihar, so how will you do it with such a face?”
Wife and son of the late former MP Shahabuddin, Hena Sahab and Osama, had joined RJD in October 2024.
Prasad took a dig at Tejashwi Yadav after the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi framed corruption charges against him, his father Lalu Prasad Yadav and his mother Rabri Devi in the IRCTC hotels scam.
The BJP leader stated, “And another case has already been filed against you under Section 420. Now that the charges have been framed, the trial will take place. I said it in Delhi, and I will say it here too. Lalu, Rabri, and Tejashwi’s model of governance is very clear. They eat fodder, manipulate tenders to acquire land… I want to caution the people of Bihar. Please don’t fall for their words. They will take your land, but you won’t get a job.”
The senior BJP leader also slammed Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor after the latter announced that he will not contest the Bihar Assembly elections.
He asserted, “Why isn’t Prashant Kishor contesting the elections? We will definitely raise this question. He also wants to change Bihar. Perhaps he also dreams of becoming Chief Minister, so he should contest the elections. Why don’t you have the courage? The people of the state are watching all this, and I am confident that they will give full support to the NDA.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already announced its two lists of candidates.
The second list of 12 candidates was announced today, taking the total tally of declared candidates to 83 out of 101 seats allotted to the party in the final seat-sharing distribution within the NDA.
NDA allies Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) have also declared some of their candidates, while Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular) has announced all of its six candidates for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly polls.
While the NDA has decided on seat distribution among its constituents for the Bihar polls, the Mahagathbandhan is yet to do so. The Election Commission issued a notification on Monday for the second phase of the state’s assembly polls.
The polling for the 243-seat Assembly is scheduled to be held on November 6 and November 11, with counting set for November 14. (ANI)
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