Politics – Tejashwi Yadav Criticizes Nitish Kumar Over Bihar Development Record
Politics – Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Thursday strongly criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, claiming that the state continues to rank poorly on several major development indicators during the current administration. His remarks came amid Nitish Kumar’s ongoing Samriddhi Yatra, during which the chief minister has been highlighting the achievements of his government and contrasting them with what he has often described as the “jungle raj” period under previous RJD rule.
Tejashwi Yadav raised questions about the government’s performance and argued that Bihar has struggled to improve its overall development standing despite long years of governance by the National Democratic Alliance.
Government’s Development Claims Questioned
In a post on social media platform X, the former deputy chief minister said Bihar presents a striking contradiction in national development rankings. According to him, the state has remained under a “double engine government” led by the NDA for many years, yet continues to face persistent challenges across multiple sectors.
He alleged that Bihar ranks among the lowest in several economic and social indicators while simultaneously witnessing some of the highest levels of migration and unemployment. Yadav claimed that large numbers of residents continue to leave the state in search of work and better opportunities elsewhere.
The RJD leader also pointed to crime levels, corruption concerns, and multidimensional poverty as key issues that, according to him, remain unresolved despite repeated assurances of improved governance.
Concerns Over Education and Economic Indicators
Tejashwi Yadav further highlighted concerns regarding the state’s education and economic conditions. He argued that Bihar continues to record low literacy rates compared with other states, along with limited access to quality education infrastructure.
He cited issues such as school dropout rates and a shortage of digital resources in educational institutions, including computers and ICT laboratories. According to his remarks, these factors contribute to broader challenges in improving educational outcomes.
In economic terms, he also referenced indicators such as per capita income, investment levels, and overall consumption, suggesting that Bihar continues to lag behind much of the country. He stated that farmer incomes remain among the lowest nationally and that industrial development has progressed slowly compared with other states.
Infrastructure and Cost of Living Issues
Another area of criticism raised by Yadav involved infrastructure and basic services. He said Bihar faces gaps in essential facilities including reliable electricity consumption, industrial expansion, and technological access.
He also claimed that residents in the state often face relatively high costs for essential commodities such as cooking gas, electricity, and fuel. According to him, these expenses add to the financial pressure on households already dealing with limited income opportunities.
In addition, Yadav referred to property and land prices in some parts of Bihar, suggesting that the cost of real estate has increased significantly in recent years.
Political Accountability and Governance Debate
Continuing his criticism, the RJD leader argued that the state’s performance across several development indices raises questions about governance and accountability. He claimed that despite Bihar’s rankings on various national parameters, there has been limited discussion about responsibility for these outcomes.
Yadav also accused the ruling alliance of focusing on political strategies rather than addressing structural economic and social issues. According to him, long-term improvements in employment generation, infrastructure, and public services remain essential for the state’s progress.
The remarks come as political discourse in Bihar intensifies ahead of future electoral contests, with both the ruling coalition and opposition parties highlighting their contrasting narratives about governance and development.
While the state government continues to promote initiatives and projects undertaken during its tenure, opposition leaders are increasingly drawing attention to economic and social indicators to question those claims. The debate is likely to remain central to the political landscape in Bihar in the coming months.