The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) will kick off its Lok Sabha election campaign in Bihar on Tuesday with its leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav embarking on a statewide tour to seek public support.
Christened Jan Vishwas Yatra, Tejashwi’s 11-day tour will stress how chief minister Nitish Kumar betrayed the party, shook hands with the BJP to bring down the Mahagathbandhan government and install the NDA government in Bihar.
The RJD leader, currently the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, will emphasise the work done under the Mahagathbandhan government, especially jobs given to around 5 lakh youths during its tenure.
However, the distribution of seats among parties of the INDIA bloc is yet to be finalised.
Publicising his tour on social media platform X, Tejashwi said: “Jan vishwas se jan vikas ki or, vikas ke nai suryoday k liye, sthayi vishwasi sarkar k liye (from public trust to public development, for a new sunrise of development and a stable, trustworthy government) Dinank 20 Farvari: Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Sheohar. Jan Vishwas Yatra (Jan Vishwas Yatra at Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Sheohar on February 20).”
Tejashwi will hold rallies at Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi and Sheohar on Tuesday and follow it up with rallies at Motihari (East Champaran), Bettiah (West Champaran) and Gopalganj on Wednesday.
During his whirlwind tour that ends on March 1 in Lakisarai, Tejashwi is likely to address around three rallies in three districts every day.
According to a senior RJD leader, the modus operandi of Tejashwi is “similar to the relentless one that he adopted in the 2020 Assembly elections and reaped rich dividends".
The Lok Sabha poll dates are expected to be announced in March first week with voting likely in April–May.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Saturday went in a rath (modified bus) to two different places in Vaishali and Patna districts to participate in family events of two party leaders. Lalu interacted intensively with people at both.
“Laluji may campaign for the Lok Sabha polls if his health permits, but won't venture on long tours,” RJD spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan told The Telegraph.
