We Aren’t Scared of BJP Allies ED, CBI and I-T: Tejashwi Yadav

“In Bihar, the fight is between people who believe in Gandhi & Ambedkar and those who believe in Godse & Golwalkar.”

Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav speaks to The Quint’s Editorial Director Sanjay Pugalia.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam, Purnendu Pritam

In an interview with The Quint’s Editorial Director Sanjay Pugalia, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He said that he is not scared of “BJP allies I-T, ED and CBI”.

The BJP is on crutches right now. The Modi magic is fading away. They are losing bypolls one after the other. From majority, they have been reduced to a minority. If the Shiv Sena withdraws support and other alliance partners follow suit then in case of a no-confidence motion, their government will collapse.

Tejashwi Yadav, RJD Leader

Will RJD Be Able to Single-handedly Take on the BJP-JD(U) Alliance?

BJP-JD(U) came together and fought the bypolls on three seats. All of them were not traditionally RJD seats and yet their alliance lost. But we don’t take any contest lightly. We are not very satisfied with our performance either. This is just the beginning. This is just the trailer, the movie is yet to be released.

Tejashwi Yadav, RJD Leader

Speaking against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yadav said, “When he (PM Modi) came to Bihar, he tried to put a price on this state. The BJP is propagating a corporate style of politics.”

You can’t woo Dalits by dedicating statues and museums to BR Ambedkar. Everyone knows that the BJP wants to impose ‘Nagpuriya’ law in this nation. This time in Bihar, the fight is between people who believe in Gandhi and Ambedkar and those who believe in Godse and Golwalkar.

Tejashwi Yadav, RJD Leader

When asked that in Uttar Pradesh, it is clear that the Akhilesh-Mayawati combine can take on the BJP but in Bihar, it would be difficult for the RJD-Congress alliance to take on the BJP-JD(U) alliance because the Congress has been marginalised, Yadav said:

The RJD along with Jitan Ram Manjhi, Congress and NCP, is building a formidable alliance against the BJP. The Congress will get more votes than Nitish Kumar. Bargain of seats can be sorted out internally after considering the winnability factor. We don’t think about internal differences. Rahul Gandhi is also gaining popularity.

All Praises for Rahul Gandhi

Yadav praised Congress President Rahul Gandhi for tactfully uniting and taking the united Opposition along.

We (Rahul Gandhi and I) have a good understanding. Rahul has changed a lot and along with the party, he is also working on the alliance. Rahul Gandhi is also gaining popularity. His tours of different states are making Modi nervous.

Tejashwi Yadav, RJD Leader

‘We Are Not Contesting Against Nitish Kumar But Against the BJP”

Yadav also opened up on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his decision to go with the BJP. He said:

Our fight isn’t against Nitish. Our fight is against the BJP. Bihar has always been recognised for its social justice and secular nature. Nitish conned the public with the BJP. Now, he has no credibility. If you visit Bihar, no one is happy with the sort of poisonous politics that these guys are indulging in. Nitish has made an alliance with everyone possible.

PM Candidate From the United Opposition?

“Officially, no one has staked claim for prime ministership. Mayawati, Mamata, Sharad Pawar no one has staked any claim. Who is the face of the united Opposition is not important. What is important is that whoever will be the face, he/she will be better than Modi”, said Yadav.

(This story was originally published on Quint Hindi.)