In a significant legal development, a Delhi court has formally charged Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, alongside his father Lalu Prasad Yadav and mother Rabri Devi, in connection with the alleged IRCTC scam. Following this, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader declared that his family is committed to a path of relentless struggle, dismissing the charges as blatant ‘political vendetta.’
Yadav passionately framed the ongoing legal battle as a confrontation between ‘Biharis and non-Biharis.’ In a powerful statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), he recounted, ‘Just a month ago, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji visited Bihar and openly threatened that he would ensure we wouldn’t be in a position to contest elections. My response is clear: I will fight, and I will win. We are Biharis, true Biharis, and we will not be intimidated by outsiders. Jai Bihar, Jai Bihari!’
Embracing the Fight
Speaking to reporters after the court proceedings, Tejashwi Yadav reiterated his resolve. ‘As long as the BJP, a party acting against constitutional principles, remains in power and I draw breath, we will relentlessly oppose them. There’s a unique satisfaction in confronting challenges head-on. We have chosen the arduous path of struggle, and through this perseverance, we are confident we will ultimately achieve our goals.’
Special Judge Vishal Gogne’s ruling saw common charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating leveled against former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi and Mr. Yadav. These charges stem from alleged irregularities surrounding the awarding of operational contracts for two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels to a private entity. Furthermore, charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act were framed against Mr. Prasad, the RJD chief. This legal progression sets the stage for a high-profile trial, particularly significant as Bihar’s upcoming Assembly elections loom.