From ‘bachcha’ to ‘baap apraadhi’ , ‘bandar’: JDU, RJD plumb new lows in Bihar Assembly

The Bihar Assembly witnessed another low on Thursday as BJP and RJD leaders traded a series of sharp and personal barbs during a stormy debate over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

While Chief Minister Nitish Kumar mocked Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav calling him a ‘Bachcha’ (kid) on yesterday, today, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary called him ‘lootera’ (looter) and ‘baap apraadhi’ (son of a criminal).

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Retorting, Tejashwi referred to BJP ministers as ‘bandar’ (monkeys) and ‘gunda’ (goons), saying some ministers of this government keep jumping like monkeys just to be in the limelight.

Accepting the Opposition’s demand, Assembly Speaker Nand Kishor Yadav allowed representatives of every party to share their views on the ongoing special voter list revision.

Raising his concerns, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the Election Commission of India (ECI) has no right to decide on people’s citizenship. It is the job of the government of India.

He further said since voters have been allowed to present their Aadhaar cards to establish their identity in the past, the poll panel should accept them for the verification of voters.

At this juncture, Samrat Choudhary made some remarks. In response, Tejashwi asked, “Who are you to decide what is right?” This led to a verbal spat between the two, with both repeatedly asking, “Who are you?”

Following this heated exchange, Samrat Choudhary said, “Jis ka baap aparaadhee ho, jel gaya ho, vo tay karega ki kya sahee hai kya galat. (one, whose father is a criminal and has gone to jail, wants to decide what is right and wrong).”

He then told Tejashwi, “Tum sab lootera ho – lootera! (You all are looters — looters!).”

Following this, Opposition and the ruling party leaders continued verbal attacks on each other leading to tensions in the house.

At one point, the situation escalated so much that Tejashwi Yadav had to say that the house is being run by hooligans (gunda raj) and that the ruling party does not want to allow the Opposition to speak.

Referring to Tejashwi Yadav’s remarks in the Assembly, Minister Prem Kumar stated that Minister Ashok Choudhary was just trying to present his points.

Tejashwi Yadav interrupted by saying, “Don’t jump around like a monkey, sit down.”

He repeated it while interacting with journalists in the Assembly premises. He said there are some ministers in the Bihar government who keep jumping around like monkeys in the house just to draw attention and be in the limelight. “They have no real work — their only job is to shine their faces. They’re neither here nor there. The man keeps jumping again and again — what’s the point? Is there even anything meaningful to say?”