Tejashwi Yadav Declares Himself CM Face, Challenges NDA to Reveal Candidate Ahead of Bihar Polls

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has officially declared himself the chief ministerial face of the opposition alliance in Bihar, daring the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to announce its candidate ahead of the state assembly elections. The announcement, made in Patna on Wednesday, marks a significant escalation in the political battle between the two blocs as Bihar heads for polls on November 6 and 11.

Addressing the media, Yadav said the opposition is entering the election with unity and clarity of leadership, contrasting it with what he described as confusion within the NDA. “We have made our position clear. Now the BJP should tell the people who their CM face is,” he said. He accused the ruling alliance of lacking vision and failing to address Bihar’s unemployment, inflation, and poverty issues during its tenure.

The RJD leader, who previously served as deputy chief minister, said his focus would be on job creation, education reform, and health infrastructure if elected. Yadav also took a swipe at the BJP for relying on personal attacks rather than policy debates, adding that the people of Bihar are ready for change. His declaration also sought to project the opposition Mahagathbandhan — comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties — as a united front under a single leadership.

Responding sharply, the BJP dismissed Yadav’s challenge, branding the opposition as a “thugbandhan” (alliance of crooks). The party said the RJD’s rule in the past symbolised “lawlessness, corruption, and caste-based politics,” and accused Yadav of inheriting a legacy of misgovernance. Bihar BJP leaders asserted that the NDA’s leadership question is settled, with voters already aware of the coalition’s vision under the current dispensation.

The exchange of words between Yadav and BJP leaders highlights the growing intensity of the Bihar campaign, which is expected to revolve around leadership credibility, governance track record, and youth employment. The NDA is likely to project stability and development under its current leadership, while the opposition will bank on anti-incumbency sentiment and Yadav’s youth appeal.

Political observers say Yadav’s move to declare himself CM face early in the campaign is a calculated attempt to frame the election as a two-way contest — between him and the NDA’s yet-to-be-declared leader — and to rally opposition supporters around a central figure. His confidence reflects the opposition’s attempt to consolidate its vote base and counter the BJP’s organisational strength.

As Bihar gears up for a high-stakes election, the battle lines are firmly drawn. While the NDA seeks continuity and stability, Yadav is positioning himself as the face of generational change, setting the stage for an intense and personality-driven political contest in the coming weeks.