Patna (Bihar) [India], April 18 : A political controversy erupted in Bihar after a purported video showed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) workers hurling abuses at Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan's mother Veena Paswan during an election rally of former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in Jamui.
After the video went viral on social media, the BJP and the LJP have come out heavily against the Lalu Yadav's party and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.
Chirag Paswan, the LJP (Ram Vilas) chief expressed his anguish over the incident and lashed out at Tejashwi, saying that unlike the latter, he would have given a befitting reply if someone had used derogatory language for Rabri Devi, the mother of Tejashwi.
"I am hurt that the leader in front of whom my family and I were abused is my younger brother. Allegations have been levelled against me several times that despite being a part of the NDA, I go soft on Lalu Yadav and his family. I will have a direct contest with them on the political stage but there are a few familial decorums that originated from the times of my father. My father and Lalu Yadav remained friends, so I have such relations with that family. I have always upheld the dignity of those relations. I opposed them politically but never escalated it to the family," he said.
Condemning the incident, Chirag further said that the RJD leader stayed silent just because of "politics".
"I am sad that when my family was being abused, my younger brother was on the stage. For me, Rabri Devi is my mother. I would have given a befitting reply had someone used such language for her or my sisters Misa Bharti and Rohini Acharya...But my younger brother stayed silent...How did he not hear it? Just for politics, to win elections - that too for just one seat," he added.
Tejashwi Yadav, however, said that he did not hear anything from the crowd as he was giving his speech at the stage.
"I have no information on who is saying what. I was giving my speech, and didn't hear anything. There was a huge crowd. These people have made their video and have posted on social media. Does someone tolerate these things?" Tejashwi Yadav said.
BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain also hit out at the opposition party and said, "RJD people abused the mother of Chirag Paswan in presence of their leaders including Tejashwi Yadav. It has never happened in Bihar. It is unacceptable."
Bihar BJP women's delegation had filed complaint to Election Commission in connection with the incident.