New DelhiAug 3, 2025 09:00 IST
First published on: Aug 3, 2025 at 09:00 IST
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Associated with the Congress party, independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, has been an outspoken leader in Bihar politics. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he merged his Jan Adhikar Party with the Congress. However, he had to contest from Purnea as an Independent after he could not get the Congress’s ticket with the seat going to its senior ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) under their Mahagathbandhan alliance. However, he still managed to win the seat by defeating the Janata Dal (United) candidate, becoming an MP for the sixth time. In an interview with The Indian Express, Pappu Yadav, 57, speaks on a range of issues related to the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. Excerpts:
*What will be your role in the Mahagathbandhan in the Bihar polls?
As a worker who takes our leader Rahul Gandhi’s vision to the people… Bihar is in a very bad condition. Three crore people have migrated. And there has been no capital investment in the state in the last 30-40 years. Not a single factory has been set up. Our state has the highest potential for food processing, but no one talks about it.
*Who is responsible for it? Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar have ruled the state for long periods…
All the leaders. No one has the will-power. They just want to stay in power. As a man, Nitish ji is a good person; he is honest. But everyone around Nitish ji is dishonest. An ‘Inspector Raj’ was in effect. The officers (bureaucrats) ran Nitish ji’s government. Everyone looted.
*There are speculations that the BJP could replace Nitish as CM…
The BJP never wanted Nitish ji (as CM). Nitish ji still has a secular image today. But the way things are, Muslims feel that Chandrababu Naidu (TDP) and Nitish Kumar have stabbed in the back by supporting the NDA government on the amended Waqf law. This has caused them the most pain. When our leader (Rahul Gandhi) demands 65% reservation and caste census, Nitish ji becomes silent.
Without Nitish ji, BJP has no value in Bihar and a BJP government cannot be formed. Now the EBC (Extremely Backward Classes) have understood that the BJP has finished their leader (Nitish). So, the EBC, ST, SC, OBC votes are shifting towards the Congress.
*If the BJP needs Nitish, as you say, does the Congress need the RJD in Bihar?
We have to take the alliance along. Without the perspective of the Congress, you cannot do anything. People in Bihar are moving towards the Congress.
*What is the status of seat-sharing within the Mahagathbandhan?
I do not know anything about this. I am nowhere. Only our leader will tell. Who is there to ask Pappu Yadav? I am just an ordinary worker.
*Is Tejashwi Yadav the CM face of the Mahagathbandhan in the Bihar polls?
I am not entitled to speak on that. We will fight and win the election on our leader (Rahul Gandhi)’s vision and make the INDIA bloc win.
*Will the Election Commission (EC)’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls have an impact on the polls?
If you eliminate the votes of STs, SCs, and EBCs in this manner, there will be a very bad impact on elections. There is no question of political loss. The question is of rights being snatched. We will not allow it to be erased.
*You recently advocated for including the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in the Mahagathbandhan alliance. Should the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM be a part of the alliance too?
JMM should definitely be included…(On AIMIM) tell me one thing… We speak against the RSS, and there is another ideology that only talks about its own. They (AIMIM) is only concerned about their quam (community). You should talk about the Constitution.
*Will Prashant Kishor have an impact on the Bihar elections?
What impact did he have? The first time he came, he went to work in Amethi. He then went with Modi ji. He then went to Nitish ji, Mamata, came to Congress… He got a vanity van… sleeps in AC and says, ‘I am touring’ and that he will become the chief minister.
The EBCs, STs, SCs, OBCs and minorities in Bihar have developed a hunger for politics. In Bihar, only an EBC, ST, or SC will be the Chief Minister. No one else can be.
*Why could an upper caste leader not be the Bihar CM?
It would not happen for the next 50 years at least. The political hunger has awakened in the country. 90% of the people are from these suppressed communities, so why should the other 10% always rule?
*What are your expectations for Mahagathbandhan in the polls?
If we move together on Rahul Gandhi ji’s vision, bring Hemant ji (Soren), and strengthen the alliance even more, don’t let anyone leave, and avoid ego clashes – those who are keen to become Chief Minister they must understand such things… that if we follow Rahul Gandhi’s vision, everyone will support us and the Mahagathbandhan will win… then no one can stop the INDIA alliance.
*The BJP is trying to evoke the fear of the old ‘Jungle Raj’ in Bihar. What is your response?
The BJP is the biggest threat itself. BJP survives only because of Nitish Kumar. The prevailing situation is not good. We want Nitish ji to stay strong but BJP does not want him to.
*Are you inviting Nitish Kumar to the Mahagathbandhan?
Yes, he should come to the alliance. Because the BJP will stab him in the back. Personally, I respect Nitish ji. It is not just me. Our leaders respect him too.