The battle for Bihar's 40 crucial seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is on and will span seven phases. The RJD is contesting the elections as an alliance partner in the INDIA bloc. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is working with its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, including the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) and the Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).
'Unbearable pain'
Midway through his campaign, after the first two phases of elections, doctors recommended Tejashwi three weeks of bed rest to treat his back pain. However, the 34-year-old leader ignored medical advice and continued campaigning.
On May 3, Tejaswi took to social media and shared a video of himself at one of his rallies. In the video, he lifted his shirt to reveal a waist belt he wore to relieve his back pain.
“I take painkillers and medication for unbearable back pain. I also wear a belt,” Tejaswi said in a tweet in Hindi. Since then, the RJD leader has continued his campaign, addressing large crowds at his public rallies, at times even in a wheelchair.
In one of his speeches, the issue of Tejashwi's back pain led to a political war of words between the RJD and the BJP when he claimed that he would not rest until Prime Minister Modi goes on 'bed rest'. The RJD later had to clarify that its leader meant 'political bed rest', and not the literal 'bed rest'.
Many say Tejashwi has no option but to campaign, mainly due to the health of his ailing father, former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Crucial match
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are a crucial battle for Tejashwi Yadav, who was deputy chief minister in Nitish Kumar's government till January this year when the JD-U chief decided to switch parties from the INDIA bloc to the NDA.
The Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD has been out of power in Bihar since 2005, except for the 17-month coalition government with the JD-U that ended earlier this year. However, the party's vote share has increased after Tejashwi's political debut nine years ago.
Also read: 'We have crossed…': Tejaswi Yadav's 'we have won' comment ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024 phase 5
In the 2020 Assembly elections, the RJD, led by Tejashwi in its campaign, emerged as the largest party in Bihar, with 75 out of 243 seats and a vote share of 23.5 percent.
The NDA won 39 of the 40 seats in Bihar in 2019. Among its partners, the BJP had won 17 seats, the JD-U 16 and the LJP six seats in 2019. The RJD did not win a single seat, while the Congress won only one. seat of Bihar in the 2019 elections.
NDA vs INDIA
With two phases of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections still to be held on May 25 and June 1, Tejashwi Yadav has already addressed nearly 183 public meetings in Bihar, according to a report in Indian Express.
Among other INDIA block leaders, Rahul Gandhi has campaigned only once in Bihar so far. Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge has also held a few rallies. As things stand, the INDIA bloc seems to be banking entirely on Tejashwi Yadav for its prospects in these elections.
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On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held 13 rallies and Union Minister Amit Shah around six public rallies in Bihar so far. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also addressed the rallies in Bihar.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has addressed more than four dozen public meetings.
Five Lakh Jobs
Similar to the 2020 Assembly elections, Tejashwi's campaign is largely targeting youth, citing the reported five lakh jobs he created during his tenure as Bihar's deputy chief minister. He has promised that the INDIA bloc will provide employment to more than a million youth.
Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: 'BJP's target of 400 seats is a complete fantasy', Shashi Tharoor explains why
Of late, Tejashwi in his speeches has also started incorporating the INDIA bloc's promises of giving free ration of 10 kg and ₹1 lakh annually to a woman per family. This is apart from the INDIA bloc's usual campaign against Modi, which revolves around the 'need to save the Constitution'.
'300 Pairs
Earlier this week, Tejashwi claimed that the INDIA bloc has already won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and crossed the 300-seat mark. Tejwaswi made his comments a day ahead of the fifth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which took place on May 20, in which 49 constituencies voted. “We have won. We have already crossed the 300 pair (of seats) mark,” Yadav said on May 19.
The five phases of Lok Sabha elections for 428 of the 543 seats are over. Voting for the remaining two phases will take place on May 25 and June 1. Votes for all seven phases will be counted on June 4.
The BJP-led NDA, which is seeking a record third term in office, has set a target of winning 400 seats this election. The opposition parties led by Congress under the banner of INDIA bloc are challenging the ruling alliance.
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Published: May 23, 2024 10:45 AM IST
