RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav during a rally for Lok Sabha elections.
Credit: PTI Photo
Chatra/ Hazaribag: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday criticised the BJP government at the Centre over the issue of price rise, highlighting that inflation, which was once a major concern for the saffron party during the UPA regime, has now become something they seem comfortable with.
Yadav quipped that what was once a 'dayan' (witch) for the BJP, seemingly became their 'mehbooba' (beloved) when the price of LPG cylinders breached the Rs 1,200 mark.
He also accused the saffron party of doing politics of hatred and spreading discrimination in the name of Hindu-Muslim.
"BJP called the inflation ‘dayan’ when the LPG cylinder was Rs 400 during the UPA regime. But, it became their ‘mehbooba’ when the cost of an LPG cylinder breached Rs 1,200," said Yadav, while addressing an election rally in Jharkhand’s Chatra.
The former Bihar deputy chief minister said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi only talks about Hindu-Muslim, mandir-masjid, Sanatan-Islam, but he is silent on the biggest issues of the country such as price rise, unemployment and poverty."
He said the PM recently visited Jharkhand’s Chatra, but did not utter a single word about the state’s development nor gave any roadmap for its development in the next five years.
Accusing the BJP of misusing central agencies, Yadav said former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren was sent behind the bars under a conspiracy. "They (BJP) also used ED, CBI against our family, but we are not going to be scared of the agencies," he said.
Seeking votes for I.N.D.I.A. bloc’s Chatra Lok Sabha candidate KN Tripathy, he said if the opposition alliance is voted to power, one crore youths will be given jobs, LPG cylinder price will be reduced to Rs 500 and 200 units of electricity will be given free.
Yadav delivered his speech sitting on a chair as he was suffering from a back injury. "Doctor advised me to go for bed rest for at least three weeks. But, I told the doctor that it is not my time, but it is time to send Modi-ji on bed rest," he said.
Addressing another election rally in Hazaribag, Yadav said the ongoing Lok Sabha poll is very important because it is the election to save democracy and constitution.
"Democracy and constitution will at stake if the BJP returns to power. Time has come to oust the Modi government from the Centre," he said.
He alleged that no major industry was set up during the tenure of the BJP government at the Centre. Instead of setting up industries, the Modi government was busy in selling railways, airports, banks and public sector units, he added.
Yadav sought votes in favour of I.N.D.I.A. bloc candidate from Hazaribag Lok Sabha seat JP Patel, who recently switched to Congress from the BJP.
The RJD leader also held rallies for I.N.D.I.A. bloc candidates in Giridih and Koderma.