'Assume It's True, Want To Ask PM...': Tejashwi Yadav On Bihar 'Infiltrators'
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has responded sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comment about an 'infiltration crisis' in Bihar region - remarks seen by some as referring to Muslims - labelling them 'diversionary tactics' before the election.
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Patna:
In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claims about an 'infiltration crisis' in Bihar—comments some interpret as targeting Muslims—RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has dismissed them as 'diversionary tactics' ahead of the upcoming Assembly election.
Speaking with NDTV, the former Deputy Chief Minister, widely considered the opposition's candidate for Chief Minister, questioned, "I would like to ask the Prime Minister... where exactly did these 'infiltrators' come from?"
"Even if we momentarily accept there are 'infiltrators' in Bihar, the question remains—what has your administration been doing? The BJP has held central power for 11 years, and your alliance has governed Bihar for two decades," Yadav challenged, addressing Modi.
The RJD leader demanded evidence of any identified infiltrators in Bihar and referenced last year's Jharkhand Assembly election, noting that the BJP raised similar concerns only to abandon the issue after the NDA's defeat to Congress.
"This 'infiltration' narrative is merely a 'diversionary tactic.' The NDA recognizes its failures in providing quality governance, education, employment, and healthcare," Yadav stated as he launched his five-day 'Bihar Adhikar Yatra' from Jehanabad district.
"We intend to establish a government focused on education, healthcare, employment, and addressing citizens' grievances..."
During a campaign address in Bihar's Purnea on Monday, the Prime Minister accused the opposition alliance led by Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal of supporting 'infiltrators' in the state.
Modi claimed that 'infiltration' had created a 'demographic crisis,' asserting that residents were 'concerned about their sisters' and daughters' safety.' He promised the BJP-led alliance would expel these individuals.
The Prime Minister further alleged that Congress, RJD, 'and their entire ecosystem' prioritized 'vote bank politics' at the expense of national security and resources.
"They have become so brazen that they're organizing rallies and marches supporting infiltrators from foreign nations," he claimed, apparently referencing the Congress' 'Voter Adhikar' campaign.
"Let me assure the RJD and Congress... the NDA is determined to remove every infiltrator. I challenge leaders protecting infiltrators... We will persistently expel them..."
The 'infiltrators' issue gained prominence following the Election Commission's 'Special Intensive Revision'—a controversial process currently challenged in the Supreme Court—which reportedly identified Nepali, Bangladeshi, and Myanmarese nationals registered as Bihar voters.
Opposition parties have countered that the voter list revision serves as a pretext to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and religious minorities who might support opposition candidates.
The EC has maintained that the voter list revision is constitutionally mandated to ensure electoral transparency.
With input from agencies
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