Bihar polls: RJD's Khesari Yadav defends 'Jungle Raj'; BJP says Mahagathbandhan's true face exposed

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday launched a broadside against Rashtriya Janata Dal's Khesari Lal Yadav for claiming that Lalu Yadav 's " Jungle Raj " was better than Nitish Kumar's rule as people at least survived after paying ransom.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari slammed Khesari and claimed that "the true face of Mahagathbandhan is now visible through its leaders’ words."

“The true face of the Mahagathbandhan is now visible through its leaders’ words. Those supporting Jungle Raj have shown how they would ensure Bihar’s safety. Tejashwi Yadav says ‘Shahabuddin zindabad,’ and RJD leaders defend Jungle Raj," Tiwari said.

"The people of Bihar stand firmly with the NDA, Bihar zindabad, and that’s what the NDA is working for," he added.

BJP leader and Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh also targeted Khesari saying, "You should see the Bihar which was 15 years back, and the Bihar, which is now. Is there a difference or not? You will definitely be able to see what development is."

This comes after Khesari, who is contesting from Chapra constituency in the upcoming elections, compared Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's tenure with Lalu Yadav's rule and said that Lalu's jungle raj was better as people at least survived after paying money.

"Lalu’s jungle raj was better. People at least survived after paying money. Today, human lives have no value. No leader is wrong, people are wrong. It’s not about murder or kidnapping — it’s about employment. If we don’t get jobs, we’ll end up seeking livelihood even in death," Khesari said.

"Give us enough employment, and we won’t need to commit murder or demand ransom," he added.

The voting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, whereas bye-elections for eight seats across seven states and Union Territories will be held on November 11. The results for both will be declared on November 14.