"Power has slipped from their hands": RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha slams Mahagathbandhan ahead of Bihar polls

Patna (Bihar) [India], October 21 (ANI): Targeting the Mahagathbandhan allience over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ahead of Bihar polls, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) National President Upendra Kushwaha accused the opposition of misleading the people and asserted that "power has already slipped from their hands".
The RLM national president accused Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav of having neglected Dalits and backward communities during his fifteen-year rule in Bihar.
Speaking to ANI in Patna on Monday, Kushwaha said "They made a big hue and cry over SIR. But what did they find? Is there even a discussion among the public today about what SIR is? These people were trying to create an issue among the public. The public already rejected them."
Taking a swipe at the RJD, Kushwaha alleged that Lalu Prasad Yadav's government failed to ensure political representation for Dalits and backward communities at the grassroots level.
"When Lalu Prasad Yadav was in power in Bihar for fifteen years, no one allowed a Dalit to become a ward member. Not only women from Dalit families, women from extremely backward families, but even men were not allowed to become members," Kushwaha said.
He credited Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the NDA government for bringing social inclusion through policy changes.
"When Nitish Kumar took over, the NDA government immediately changed the existing provisions. The result of it is that the representation of people from backward community, Dalits have increased and they are viewed with respect," he added.
Kushwaha further accused the Mahagathbandhan of trying to regain power through false promises. "Who stopped Lalu Prasad Yadav from doing this?... Now that power has slipped from their hands, they are resorting to allurements again. The public recognizes their true nature," he said.
Exuding confidence ahead of the polls, Kushwaha said said that NDA is headed for a comfortable majority in Bihar and will form government with ease.
"As in Mahabharat it was known who will emerge victorious, the same is in the Bihar Elections...NDA will form the government with a comfortable majority," Kushwaha said in an interview with ANI.
Kushwaha also downplayed the electoral challenge posed by Jan Suraaj party, founded Prashant Kishor for the Bihar assembly polls."I don't see Jan Suraaj anywhere... In the battle of Bihar, on one side there is NDA, and on the other side Mahagathbandhan," he said.
His remarks came in response to Prashant Kishor's statement on October 18, where Kishor claimed that the opposition alliance (Mahagathbandhan) would finish in third place, positioning his party Jan Suraaj as the main challenger to the NDA.
Meanwhile, after several rounds of talks, the RJD on Monday released its list of 143 candidates, while other Mahagathbandhan allies will contest on the remaining 100 seats.
The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections will primarily see a contest between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. The polling will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11 and the results will be announced on November 14. (ANI)