Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Jan 11: RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav returned to Patna on Sunday after an absence of nearly 40 days and launched a scathing attack on the NDA government and the Election Commission, alleging that the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections were won through the misuse of state machinery.
Speaking to reporters at Patna airport, Tejashwi claimed that democratic principles had been undermined during the polls. “In the 2025 Assembly elections, the people lost and the machinery won. The NDA and the Election Commission turned Loktantra into Dhantantra and Machinetantra. This government was formed through deception and manipulation,” he alleged.
He said the legitimacy of the new government was being questioned not only in Bihar but across the country. Despite this, Tejashwi said the Rashtriya Janata Dal would pursue a constructive opposition strategy.
“We will engage in positive politics. I will not comment on the government’s policies or decisions for the first 100 days. Let us see when mothers and sisters receive Rs 2 lakh in their bank accounts, when one crore jobs are created for the youth, and when four to five industries come up in every district, as promised in the joint manifesto,” he said, adding that fulfilling these assurances was the government’s responsibility.
Tejashwi had left Bihar during the first Assembly session after the new government was formed and is believed to have travelled to Europe before returning to New Delhi. During this period, he also appeared before the Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the land-for-jobs case.
His prolonged absence had drawn criticism from NDA leaders. However, following his return, Tejashwi openly challenged the Nitish Kumar-led government to deliver on its poll promises, signalling a more aggressive political stance ahead.
The 2025 Assembly elections proved to be a major setback for the RJD, which managed to secure only 25 seats. Other opposition parties — including the Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM and IIP — also performed poorly, taking the combined opposition strength in the Assembly to just 35 MLAs.
In contrast, the NDA secured a comfortable majority with 202 seats, with the BJP winning 89, JD(U) 85, LJP(RV) 19, HAM five and RLM four seats.