The political atmosphere in Bihar turned tense after BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia launched a scathing attack on RJD leader and former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, accusing him of indulging in communal politics to secure Muslim votes ahead of upcoming elections.

Speaking at a press briefing in Patna on Tuesday, Bhatia alleged that Tejashwi Yadav was undermining the values of India’s Constitution and Parliamentary law, suggesting that his political rhetoric is aimed at dividing voters along religious lines.

“Those who speak about throwing Dr. Ambedkar’s Constitution and laws passed by Parliament into the dustbin will themselves be thrown into the dustbin of politics by the people of Bihar,” Bhatia declared, sparking a heated exchange in state political circles.

BJP vs RJD: Communal Politics Debate Heats Up

BJP’s Gaurav Bhatia, who is known for his hard-hitting political commentary, accused Tejashwi Yadav of misleading the Muslim community and attempting to consolidate votes through divisive statements.

Bhatia claimed that RJD has a long history of vote-bank politics, especially targeting the minority community. “Tejashwi and his party are trying to manipulate sentiments rather than focusing on real issues such as unemployment, corruption, and governance,” he said.

The BJP leader also said that the public of Bihar is politically aware and will not fall for what he called “cheap tricks rooted in communalism”.

 Tejashwi Yadav’s Sharp Response: “These BJP Chirkuts…”

Soon after Bhatia’s remarks made headlines, Tejashwi Yadav hit back with a strongly worded response, accusing the BJP of double standards and spreading communal hatred.

In a statement shared on social media, Tejashwi said:

“These BJP chirkuts [clowns] don’t even know the meaning of ‘Maulana’. They should first learn some Urdu before throwing around baseless allegations.”

Tejashwi emphasized that his statements were focused on social justice and constitutional rights, not religion. He accused the BJP of deliberately twisting words and targeting him because of his rising popularity among youth and marginalized communities.

 What Triggered the Controversy?

The war of words seems to have started after a recent public event where Tejashwi Yadav allegedly used the term “Maulana” while criticizing the government. BJP leaders claimed this was a coded communal reference, while RJD sources argue it was taken out of context.

Gaurav Bhatia seized the opportunity to question Tejashwi’s commitment to the Constitution and national integration, calling him a “threat to secular India”.

The issue quickly escalated on social media, with party supporters from both camps exchanging barbs, hashtags, and memes.

 Analysis: Communal Politics vs Electoral Strategy

The incident highlights a larger pattern of identity-based politics in Bihar, a state where caste and community dynamics often dominate election campaigns.

• RJD, led by the Yadav family, has historically drawn strong support from Muslims and Yadavs (MY combination).

• BJP, on the other hand, has relied on upper caste voters and increasingly the non-Yadav OBCs and Dalits.

In such a landscape, allegations of communal polarization are not new. However, political analysts believe the sharpness of the language used this time reflects the high political stakes in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

According to political analyst Dr. Pankaj Anand, “Both sides are trying to mobilize their core vote banks. When Tejashwi talks about the Constitution and social justice, he appeals to the secular and backward-class voters. When BJP accuses him of communalism, they’re trying to consolidate Hindu votes across caste lines.”

 Constitution, Law & Religious Sentiment

At the core of this political slugfest lies a debate on constitutional values and their interpretation in public discourse.

Gaurav Bhatia, a Supreme Court lawyer turned politician, emphasized that any leader who questions the laws passed by Parliament is directly challenging the foundation of Indian democracy. He further accused RJD of disrespecting Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy.

Tejashwi Yadav, however, maintains that he is a firm believer in constitutional democracy and that his criticism is aimed at the central government’s failures, not at the legal framework of the country.

 Upcoming Elections: The Real Battle Ground

Political watchers say this episode is likely just the beginning of what will be a high-decibel, high-stakes political battle in Bihar over the coming months.

The 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections are expected to be a tight contest between the ruling BJP-led NDA and the opposition alliance led by RJD.

Key issues on the voters’ minds include:

• Youth unemployment

• Agrarian distress

• Caste-based reservation

• Inflation and price rise

• Law and order

Both parties are expected to use every possible ideological and emotional angle to sway public opinion.

Social Media Reactions

The debate took center stage on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, where hashtags such as #TejashwiVsBJP, #CommunalPolitics, and #Bihar2025Elections trended for hours.

Public opinion appeared sharply divided. While some users backed Tejashwi’s stand on social justice and secularism, others supported Bhatia’s view that “religion should stay out of politics”.

As Bihar heads into a politically volatile season, the exchange between Gaurav Bhatia and Tejashwi Yadav has reignited the long-standing debate over communalism, secularism, and electoral opportunism. With both leaders holding their ground, the political temperature in the state is set to rise further.

The public, meanwhile, watches closely — not just for entertainment, but because the ideologies clashing today will shape Bihar’s governance tomorrow.