Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), subtly mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by playing a clip of the latter’s previous addresses in which he was heard promising things at open gatherings in Bihar in the past.
During an election rally in Madhubani on Tuesday, the former state deputy chief minister played the audio from a portable Bluetooth speaker and declared that a leader such as a prime minister should deceive the people and keep his earlier commitments.
While sharing the clip on X on Wednesday, Yadav said, “Yesterday in the election meeting a friend brought a portable speaker to me. What was in it? You should also listen to it and make others listen to it.”
Yadav went on to argue that the PM never acts as he says because there is a big gap between what he says and does, and that the BJP can say and do anything to deflect criticism.
“The public is now listening to and telling the Prime Minister the promises made in 10 years on Speaker. So many lies have been told that it is now beyond comprehension. These people can say and do anything to divert the attention of the public. One should not lie so much while being in such a high position in public life. Say only what you can do. #TejashwiYadav #trending #india #Bihar #Vote #RJD #trend #viral #Live,” he added.
The two-minute audio recording was an abridged version of various remarks Modi made while campaigning in Bihar in the 2014 general elections. He is heard discussing women, the impoverished, Bihar’s unique status, and inflation.
“If inflation continues to rise like this, then what will the poor eat? But the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) is not ready to utter the ‘M’ of mehengai, (inflation). His ego is so inflated. If you die, it’s your fate…The leaders of the country do not even care about the poor. If you go to vote, please do namaskar to the gas cylinder you have in your house. These people snatched the gas cylinders…” Modi was heard saying in the audio.
Subsequently, he was overheard stating that, should the BJP win the election, it will guarantee to provide a package worth Rs. 1.25 lakh crore to tackle Bihar’s problems and offer special category status to the state if required.
Later, the leader of the RJD attacked the prime minister, claiming that he was playing the audio clip to find out how promises were going and whether or not they were being kept.
“If they make a promise, will we not ask about it if it is incomplete? What do you mean by old statements? We have only played what he said while being a PM… The BJP is most afraid of Lalu Yadav… The people of Bihar have given them good treatment, they will do a complete surgery in the coming times…” he told news agency.
In all seven stages, elections are being held in Bihar’s 40 Lok Sabha seats. The Left, Congress, and RJD make up the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). BJP and JD(U) are running for 17 and 16 seats in the NDA, respectively. Jitan Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha are vying for one seat each, while Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is vying for five seats.
With 39 out of 40 seats won by the BJP-led NDA in 2019, the Congress only managed one seat.
