Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday slammed RJD over its 15-year rule in Bihar, saying that people will not forget "jungle raj" and the conversation about it will go on for 100 years.
Four Mahagathbandhan candidates, including three from the Congress and one from the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), withdrew their nominations in favour of their ally, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), ahead of polling for the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections.
While making the announcement, Ashok Gehlot described Tejashwi Yadav as a young person, highlighting his promising future and affirming the people of Bihar's support for him.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday targeted the Mahagathbandhan, saying the people of Bihar call it 'Lathbandhan' and that self-interest "is paramount" for these oppositon parties, who "don't care about the youth of Bihar".
After the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as their Chief Minister face, Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) Chief Chirag Paswan said on Thursday that there is no "natural acceptance" of Yadav's face within the opposition's alliance.
Congress workers staged a protest in Patna over the distribution of tickets for the Bihar elections on Thursday. They demanded the removal of the Bihar Congress incharge Krishna Allavaru. Congress worker Madhurenra Kumar Singh alleged that the tickets of some sitting MLAs were cut unfairl
Earlier today, in a joint press conference, the Mahagathbandhan announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Vikassheel Insaan Party convenor Mukesh Sahani as their CM and Deputy CM faces for the Bihar polls.
This comes after he was asked about the possibility of Congress nominating a Deputy CM candidate from its ranks. Khera also asked about the CM face of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), questioning why they did not hold a joint press conference like the Mahagathbandhan did.
Amid speculations of a rift within the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday welcomed the move to announce Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as the alliance's Chief Minister face in Bihar, calling it a "signal of support" for the RJD.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will also begin their campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 28, after the Chhath Puja festival.
Gehlot said that people of Bihar want change as they struggle with multiple issues, including unemployment. He alleged that the way the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the Centre is operating is a "threat to democracy".