A political dispute has emerged following RJD National Working President Tejashwi Yadav’s characterization of Bihar as a “poor state” at an election gathering in Kerala. The Janata Dal (United) expressed strong disapproval of Yadav’s comments, with JD(U) State President Umesh Kushwaha condemning them as highly objectionable and disgraceful. Kushwaha criticized Yadav for allegedly aligning himself with groups that have damaged Bihar’s reputation and accused him of undermining the state’s dignity by making such statements on another state’s platform.
Highlighting Bihar’s progress under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership, Kushwaha pointed out that the state’s growth rate has increased from 7.78% in 2004–05 to approximately 13.09% presently. He also mentioned a substantial rise in the state budget, which has surged from about Rs 23,000 crore in 2005 to over Rs 3.47 lakh crore today. Additionally, Kushwaha cited improvements in per capita income, poverty rates, and literacy rates over the years, emphasizing Bihar’s developmental strides.
Demanding an apology from Tejashwi Yadav, the JD(U) leader emphasized that Bihar’s residents would not tolerate negative portrayals of their state. The controversy stemmed from Yadav’s speech in Kerala, where he labeled Bihar as the poorest state in the country and expressed admiration for Kerala’s achievements, sparking a heated debate over state comparisons.
