An Assembly remark and a sharp social media response have intensified political tensions in Bihar, days after Pappu Yadav’s arrest in a 1995 case linked to the NEET student controversy.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary (left) and MP Pappu Yadav (right) are at the centre of a fresh political spat in Bihar over remarks made during the Assembly session. | IANS
An exchange of barbs in Bihar has moved from the Assembly floor to social media, drawing fresh attention to the arrest of MP Pappu Yadav.
The row comes days after Yadav was arrested late at night in connection with a 1995 case and sent to Beur Jail in Patna. He has said he is being targeted for raising questions over the death of a NEET student.
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His arrest triggered protests. Several senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Shivanand Tiwari and Jitan Ram Manjhi, spoke in his support. Supporters argue that if the case is over three decades old, the arrest could have happened earlier.
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During a debate on the Home Department’s budget in the Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary made a pointed comment without taking any name.
He said that at first it is claimed “police ne cheenti bhi nahi maari” (the police have not harmed even an ant). But after an arrest, “haathi bhi cheenti se darrne lagta hai” (even an elephant begins to fear an ant) and health issues are cited.
Though no name was mentioned, the “haathi” remark was widely linked to Pappu Yadav.
Pappu Yadav responded online. He did not name the Deputy Chief Minister directly. But his message was sharp.
He wrote:
“Pehle nabalig tha, ab bandar ban gaya hai.”
(He was a minor earlier, now he has become a monkey.)
“Is bandar ke haath mein Bihar hai.”
(Bihar is in the hands of this monkey.)
“Swabhimaan ki pagdi utaar kar, commission batorne ke liye pagdi ko gamchha bana liya.”
(The turban of self-respect has been removed and turned into a towel to collect commissions.)
नाबालिग था अब बंदर बन गया है
इस बंदर के हाथ में बिहार हैस्वाभिमान की पगड़ी उतार
कमीशन बटोरने के लिए
पगड़ी को गमछा बना लिया— Pappu Yadav (@pappuyadavjapl) February 20, 2026
What began as a remark during budget discussions has now turned into a public spat. The use of words like “haathi” and “bandar” has added a sharper tone to Bihar’s political debate.
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