Patna (Bihar) [India], June 14 : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing its leaders of having no connection with BR Ambedkar, the Constitution, or reservation policies, while defending his father and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Yadav was responding to the ongoing political controversy over Lalu Prasad Yadav's recent birthday celebrations, where BJP leaders alleged that the RJD supremo insulted Ambedkar during the event.
"These (BJP) people have nothing to do with Baba Saheb, the Constitution, and Reservation. Lalu Yadav has installed many statues of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in Bihar. We are the people who believe in Ambedkar's ideology. The BJP only spread lies," Tejashwi asserted.
"Lalu Yadav works for 10 hours at the age of 78 and meets people. He is ill but still they accuse him of such things," he further highlighted.
The controversy erupted after Lalu Prasad Yadav was seen cutting his 78th birthday cake with a sword, drawing criticism from BJP leaders who claimed it symbolised disregard for democratic values and Ambedkar's legacy.
Speaking to ANI, Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, "It is clearly visible that Lalu Prasad Yadav is trying to become a king and murder democracy. The way Babasaheb Ambedkar's photo was insulted clearly indicates that Lalu Yadav is trying to insult Babasaheb Ambedkar."
Commenting on the sword used during the cake-cutting, Choudhary added, "This is criminal mentality. Today, he cut his cake with a sword; when he comes into power, he will cut it with an AK-47."
Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav targeted the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, saying that the RJD raises people's issues and people want a change, as the government has failed in all departments.
"Our party raises people's issues, and we move forward together. This time, we will take Bihar forward and build a new Bihar. People want change. This government have failed in all departments, and their own NITI Aayog report proves it," he said.
These political developments come while the Assembly Elections are expected in Bihar later this year. However, the Election Commission has not announced the official dates.