Being the son of Lalu Yadav is not the guarantee that Tejashvi Yadav will inexorably inherit his political legacy and acumen. People nurse the perception that like Lalu he also symbolises and represents the aspirations of the poor and the backward castes. But this is not the fact. The poor and the backward castes revere him for the simple reason that he is the son of Lalu.
There is no denying the fact that the wisdom of respect and loyalty to Lalu has helped Tejashvi to emerge as the leader of the subaltern people. The reason for Tejashvi’s inability to make his own independent space also owes to his political upbringing. While Lalu’s politics was shaped by the economics of need, poverty, coming up in the commune of want and illiteracy, in sharp contrast Tejashvi’s rearing occurred in an urbane environment. He was catapulted as a politician in the post globalisation and liberation ambience and backdrop.
Of course Bihar CM Nitish Kumar just after parting ways with the BJP had dropped enough hints that he would pass the leadership to Tejashwi Yadav and he would take over as the chief minister in 2025, when the state will be having elections to the state assembly. Currently Deputy Chief Minister in the Nitish Kumar government, the senior RJD leaders attribute him with being the backbone of Mahagathbandhan.
This is certainly a loud claim. Though during these years Lalu was in jail and suffered many ailments, his physical presence was enough to shield Tejashvi from many trials. Tejashvi is the leader of the RJD and apparently he makes the policy decisions, but the fact remains that the senior colleagues and friends of still continue to guide the functioning of the RJD. They have been moving spirit of the RJD.
The prime task for Tejashvi has been to consolidate the political gains. It is the image of Lalu behind Tejashvi that has helped him overcome the challenges from inside the family and even outside. It is a known fact that Lalu had prevailed over the erring elder brother Tejpratap Yadav and elder sister Misha Bharati, MP, not to create problems for Tejashvi. It is known to everyone that Lalu nurses strong desire to see Tejashvi as the chief minister. Of course Nitish had assured the RJD rank and file that Tejashvi would become the CM in 2025, it is the sign of restraint from Lalu to them that they have been patiently waiting for the right opportunity.
The biggest alluring factor for Tejashvi has been of his being young. At a time when the population of young has grown significantly and the number of first time voters has multiplied, he has emerged as the symbol of their aspirations. He has been emphasising on providing a clean and pro people governance and opening up job opportunities for the younger people, the government is yet to make substantial impact. Since most of these people are born in post globalisation and liberalisation period, they are aware of the economic, political and financial gains and implications.
Unlike their generation of their parents, these people are averse to migrate to other states for some trivial monetary gains. They look towards Tejashvi with high hopes. There is one more interesting aspect, though these people are conscious of their caste backgrounds and allegiance, they apparently nurse a liberal attitude and approach. They openly express; “we have seen the politics of caste, now we look forward to delivering of the benefits accruing out of this politics”. This is indeed a threat as well challenge to the hegemony of the caste politics.
Tejashvi ought to realise that falling to come up to their expectations would prove to be calamitous. Still to walk a long way in the politics, he would have to exert much and for this he cannot wait till he takes over as the chief minister. Tejashvi also ought to realise that Bihar politics is quite different from politics in UP or any other Hindi state. Notwithstanding putting best effort and skill, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have miserably failed to communalise the politics of the state and polarise the people. This sends the strong message that if the politicians like Tejashvi have to dominate the political scenario of Bihar, the employment and economic development should be prioritised.
Nitish has been the chief minister since 2005. Obviously he does not find more application of his political or administrative skills. This is yet another reason that he does not devote himself too much to the regular administrative works. His primary mission is to organise the grass level people and ensure the defeat of BJP, precisely Modi. Nitish foresees a major role and engagement for him at the national level in Congress coming to power. He is on to the major gamble under the shadows of a major threat to his survival. In case the BJP wins, Modi will not spare him, he knows the consequences even then he is on his mission
Tejashwi is confident of Nitish stopping Modi’s juggernaut in 2024. But this should not be the reason for his complacent. He is young and the holder of Lalu’s legacy. Obviously he should strive and reach out the people. Of course he tries to send this message through his body language and statements but certainly it is not enough. He has been witness to his father’s remarks at the June 23 opposition meet; “main fit ho gaya hoon. Aab BJP ko fit karana hai” (I am fit, now have to make BJP fit). He has to step into his footsteps, mere conveying Lalu’s message that a “united opposition will defeat Modi” is not enough.
Tejashvi’s stake is high, even more than Nitish. He has to ensure that various class and caste groups must join hands in his crusade against Modi and RSS. Though haunted and discredited by the Fodder scam, Lalu continues to be enigma for the BJP and RSS. The rightist forces are aware of the political agility of Lalu. Unlike others Lalu has hundred per cent credibility of fighting BJP RSS. Tejashvi correctly recalled Lalu’s action against L K Advani to highlight the point to defeat BJP.
On his part Nitish has been grooming him in right perspective. He takes him along where ever he goes. Tejashvi accompanying Nitish also symbolizes Lalu’s trust in Nitish and approval to his actions. He is the future leader of mahagathbandhan has been made explicit by Nitish recently when he said; “I have no ambition to become Prime Minister of the country. I have only one ambition: to defeat the BJP and remove it from the Centre. We all are working on it and we will contest the 2025 Assembly election of Bihar under the leadership of Tejashwi Yadav”.
It is for Tejashvi to live upto the expectations of the people, especially proletariat and poor of the state. Unfortunately one impression is making fast impact on the political scene of the state that the rich Yadavs have been trying to deny the benefits of the government schemes to other backward castes. This will prove to be detrimental for Tejashvi. (IPA Service)