Tejashwi Yadav

This special report focuses on the high-octane political battle in Bihar, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigning actively. It examines Rahul Gandhi's outreach in Khagaria, where he was seen with the local fisherman (Mallah) community, a move seen as a strategic effort to woo the state's powerful EBC vote bank in alliance with Mukesh Sahani. India Today's Moushmi Singh reports, '...there Rahul Gandhi, you know, sending a loud and clear political message that not only do we do we stand with the community, but we understand the problems that they are confronted with.' The report analyses this campaign strategy targeting the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), who constitute about 36% of Bihar's population, and are a politically influential group. With both the Mahagathbandhan and the NDA holding rallies across the state, the segment highlights the intense fight for every vote in this crucial electoral battleground.

This special report covers the escalating war of words in Bihar, focusing on Rahul Gandhi's sharp attacks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during election rallies in Begusarai and Khagadiya. A key quote from the report is Rahul Gandhi's jibe: 'Prime Minister claims 56 inch chest but he is coward'. The programme also delves into the high-stakes battle in the Mokama constituency, a 'clash of the two Bahubalis,' featuring JDU's Anant Singh and Veena Devi, wife of Surajbhan Singh. It highlights the rising local tensions following the arrest of Anant Singh in a murder case, with Mahagathbandhan leader Tejashwi Yadav also campaigning in the volatile region and raising the issue of law and order.

Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav has slammed the NDA government over the law and order situation following the arrest of JD(U) candidate Anant Singh. Yadav stated, 'there is Maha Jungle Raj in Bihar and that continues under the NDA rule.' The arrest is connected to the murder of Jan Suraaj party worker Dularchand Yadav in Mokama, an incident that has intensified the electoral battle. The report comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold rallies in Arrah and Nawada, along with a roadshow in Patna, prompting Tejashwi Yadav to question his silence on the state's crime graph. With both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan trading barbs over the 'Jungle Raj' narrative, the law and order situation has become a central issue in the Bihar elections.

This special report focuses on the escalating political tensions in Bihar following the arrest of JDU's Mokama candidate, Anand Singh, in connection with the murder of Jansuraj supporter Dular Chand Yadav. According to the National Crime Records Bureau's 2023 report, Bihar recorded 2,862 murder cases, the second highest in the country after Uttar Pradesh. The incident has intensified the political slugfest, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a roadshow in Patna and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav campaigning in the volatile Mokama constituency. The opposition, led by figures like Prashant Kishore and Tejashwi Yadav, has slammed the Nitish Kumar government, alleging a complete failure of administration and the return of 'Jangal Raj'. In response to the violence, the Election Commission has ordered the transfer of several senior police and administrative officials to ensure electoral integrity.

This special report unpacks the political firestorm in Bihar, focusing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Patna and the murder of Jan Suraaj supporter Dularchand Yadav in Mokama. In response to the violence, opposition leaders have fiercely criticized the ruling government, with Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor stating it reflects the persistence of the 'jungle raj'. The incident has triggered a fierce political battle, with the Election Commission ordering the transfer of the Patna Superintendent of Police (Rural) and two other officials. Leaders like Tejashwi Yadav and Priyanka Gandhi have slammed the Nitish Kumar government, alleging a failure of administration. The report also details the Prime Minister's engagements in Patna, including his roadshow and tribute to poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, set against this backdrop of escalating political tensions ahead of the assembly elections.

This special report focuses on the heated electoral battle in Bihar, featuring Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary of the BJP, who refutes the RJD's allegations of bribery and defends the NDA's governance. The central points of contention are a ₹10,000 government payout to women, which the opposition labels a bribe, and the escalating war of promises over job creation between the NDA and Tejashwi Yadav's RJD. In a sharp counter-attack, Chaudhary challenges his rival, asking, ‘I will surely ask my younger brother (Tejashwi Yadav) to just give this assurance to the youth of Bihar, how does one become a millionaire at the age of 23?’. He defends the financial assistance to women as part of the 'Jeevika' and 'Lakhpati Didi' empowerment schemes. The discussion also touches upon the RJD's historical opposition to the Women's Reservation Bill and frames the election as a choice between NDA's development record and the RJD's dynastic politics.

On this special edition of Democratic Newsroom, anchor Akshita Nandagopal and a panel of India Today's senior editors, including Rajdeep Sardesai, Maria Shakeel, and Preeti Chaudhary, decode the Bihar election landscape. According to Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, ‘The only way you're trying to reduce the impact of caste is throwing cash at people. That's the reality.’ The program delves into whether caste remains the single biggest factor in Bihar politics or if it is being overshadowed by populist promises of jobs and cash benefits. The panel also analyses the rising influence of two key demographics that could break traditional caste moulds: the state's women (Mahila) and the increasingly aspirational youth (Yuva), who are demanding development and a change from the old guard. The discussion covers the electoral strategies of major players like Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav as they vie for power in the state.

On this India Today special report, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary sits down with Rajdeep Sardesai to discuss the high-stakes 2025 Bihar Assembly election and the NDA's strategy. Launching a sharp attack on his rival, Chaudhary had a question for Tejashwi Yadav, 'Just give this assurance to the youth of Bihar, how does one become a millionaire at the age of 25?'. The interview delves into contentious issues, including the opposition's 'Jungle Raj' allegations linked to a murder in Mokama, and counters claims that a ₹10,000 government payout to women is an electoral bribe. Chaudhary defends the NDA's record on job creation while questioning the RJD's promises and confirms that Nitish Kumar will remain the Chief Minister if the alliance returns to power.

This special report from Bihar breaks down the escalating poll battle between the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, focusing on their recently released manifestos and the key figures of Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dismissing the NDA's promises, opposition chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav stated, 'If you look at their false promises of the last 20 years, every manifesto... what happened to our manifesto?'. The bulletin covers the core promises, from the NDA's pledge to create one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' to the Mahagathbandhan's guarantee of one government job per household. It also delves into the high-profile contest in Chapra, where the RJD has fielded Bhojpuri superstar Khesarilal Yadav, and PM Modi's campaign strategy of invoking the 2001 Golu kidnapping case to warn voters against the RJD's past 'Jungle Raj'.

In this India Today special report, the focus is on the escalating political battle in Bihar with Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial face, Tejashwi Yadav, taking on CM Nitish Kumar and the BJP. Tejashwi Yadav makes a stunning claim that 'He [Nitish Kumar] is no longer running Bihar. He has been hijacked. Modi and Amit Shah are running Bihar from Delhi; Nitish Kumar has merely been made a puppet.' The RJD leader details his electoral promises, including the ambitious plan for one government job per household, arguing it is a well-researched pledge and not a 'jumla'. He counters the NDA's 'Jungle Raj' allegations by pointing to recent NCRB data and challenges the ruling coalition on its 20-year record on unemployment, migration, and law and order.

This special report features Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhary, addressing critical questions about the state's political future and confronting serious personal allegations. Chaudhary provides a firm guarantee on the leadership question, putting an end to speculation about the Chief Minister's post within the NDA. 'Nitish Kumar is a leader and will be a leader in the future as well,' he asserts, dismissing any possibility of a change. The interview also delves into the accusations made by political strategist Prashant Kishor, who has publicly accused Chaudhary of falsifying his age and educational qualifications and being involved in a decades-old murder case. Chaudhary refutes these claims, challenging Kishor to prove them while also discussing dynastic politics, comparing his own family's political background to that of Lalu Prasad Yadav's.

This special report focuses on RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's election strategy for Bihar, discussing the Mahagathbandhan's dynamics, his projection as the Chief Ministerial face, and his ambitious promise of one government job per family. Regarding the incumbent government's scheme providing ₹10,000 to women, Tejashwi Yadav states, 'ye rishwat nahi toh aur kya' (What is this if not a bribe?). The discussion also delves into his efforts to expand the RJD's traditional Muslim-Yadav (M-Y) voter base to include Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs). Key alliance decisions are highlighted, including the appointment of Mukesh Sahni as a Deputy Chief Minister candidate, with Yadav suggesting more deputies from other communities could follow if they win. The report also touches upon internal challenges within the INDIA alliance, such as 'friendly fights' in several constituencies.

In this special report, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav launches a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP. Yadav predicts that the BJP will not allow Nitish Kumar to return as Chief Minister if the NDA wins the upcoming assembly elections, and alleges that the state is effectively being run from Delhi by Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. According to Tejashwi, ‘Bihar wo nahi chala rahe AB wo hijack hoge Modi aur Amit Shah Jo hai Delhi baithh karke wo Bihar chala de Nitish Kumar Ji ko keval putla bana diya yeh’ (He is not running Bihar now, he has been hijacked. Modi and Amit Shah are running Bihar from Delhi, they have made Nitish Kumar Ji a mere puppet). The interview also delves into Tejashwi Yadav's allegations of vote theft in the 2020 elections, his vision for a 'Naya Bihar', the challenge from Prashant Kishor, and the comparison with his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav.

In this special report, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav discusses his political strategy for the Bihar elections, positioning it as a final chance to save the state from corruption, crime, and unemployment under the 20-year rule of the BJP-JDU alliance. 'Look, this is an election to make Bihar,' Yadav states, framing his campaign around development and justice. He counters the BJP's 'Jungle Raj' allegations by highlighting his father Lalu Prasad Yadav's contributions to social justice and the Railways. Yadav also defends his own 17-month tenure as Deputy Chief Minister, claiming credit for creating 5 lakh jobs and improving the health sector. He challenges the current government's record on law and order, referencing the latest NCRB data which places Bihar high in national crime statistics, and points to recent political violence in Mokama. The interview also delves into the politics of dynasty, with Yadav deflecting criticism by pointing to figures like Chirag Paswan and Samrat Choudhary within the NDA.

As Bihar gears up for the two-phase assembly election with results on November 14, we raise these questions on the show: Who is winning this war for Bihar and why?  Is Bihar 2025 likely to be as close as 2020? Watch as some of the top pollsters of the country share their perspective on these and more on the Bihar Election Roundtable with Rajdeep Sardesai.

In this special roundtable on the upcoming Bihar elections, anchor Rajdeep Sardesai is joined by top pollsters Pradeep Gupta, Yashwant Deshmukh, Amitabh Tiwari, and Sandeep Shastri to decode the likely outcome. Yashwant Deshmukh points to a key trend, stating 'the data is showing almost like six point lead among the female for the NDA but the three point lead for Mahabharata among the male voters'. The discussion reveals a palpable sense of caution among the pollsters, especially after the 2024 general elections. The experts analyze the race as a 'close fight', with Sandeep Shastri suggesting the NDA has its 'nose ahead' but could be held back by voter fatigue with Nitish Kumar. The panel also identifies the 50 seats with a direct contest between Congress and the BJP-JDU combine as crucial battlegrounds that will determine the winner in this high-stakes electoral contest.

This special report unpacks the potential of political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor to act as the 'X-factor' in the upcoming Bihar elections, with analysts debating his impact on the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan. According to Yashwant Deshmukh, 'while data suggests that 7 out of 10 voters of Prashant Kishore are coming from NDA camp, it looks like he is hurting the NDA, but in practical ways, more ways than one, it might be a net loss to the Mahagadbandhan.' The discussion, featuring Rajdeep Sardesai, delves into whether Kishor's Jan Suraaj party can cut across traditional caste loyalties to attract young and anti-incumbency votes. The panel analyses if his appeal is limited to male youth and upper castes, or if he can truly disrupt the established political dynamics dominated by figures like Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav, and the strategic importance of BJP's Samrat Chaudhary.

This special report unpacks the complex leadership battle in the upcoming Bihar elections, focusing on the political futures of Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, and the strategic role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Psephologist Yashwant Deshmukh captures the BJP's dilemma, stating, 'Without that core BJP cannot win in Bihar if they could have been winning in Bihar without that 15 percent They would have dumped Nitish Kumar 15 years back.' The discussion analyses the significant anti-incumbency sentiment against Nitish Kumar after two decades in power and a key finding that many NDA voters now prefer a BJP Chief Minister. The panel also explores Tejashwi Yadav's challenge of expanding his support beyond the traditional Muslim-Yadav (M-Y) base and whether the narrative of 'Jangal Raj' still holds sway over younger voters who are more concerned with unemployment.

In a candid conversation with India Today, Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar discussed his political journey, his equation with Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, and the political landscape of Bihar as the state gears up for assembly elections. 

This special report focuses on the escalating political battle in Bihar over election manifestos, with the NDA releasing its 'Sankalp Patra' and the Mahagathbandhan challenging its promises. Key figures discussed include RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Tejashwi Yadav dismissed the ruling alliance's promises, stating, 'NDA should release a ‘sorry patra’ instead and apologise to the 14 crore people of Bihar. The state is the poorest despite their 20-year rule'. The report covers the NDA's attempt to project a united front with its five constituent parties, termed the 'Panch Pandav', countering opposition claims of a rift. It examines the core promises of the manifestos, including job creation and women's empowerment, which have become central to the high-stakes election campaign.