RJD's Shakti Singh Yadav Critiques BJP's 'Akrosh March' in Patna
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Patna, April 20 (NationPress) Shakti Singh Yadav, the Chief Spokesperson of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has strongly criticized the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regarding their recent "Akrosh March" held on Monday.
In a press conference attended by MLC Urmila Thakur and other party leaders, Yadav described the protest as a mere tactic for managing headlines, asserting that it revealed the BJP's true motives and the internal disarray within the NDA.
He accused the BJP of misleading and exploiting Jeevika Didis solely for crowd mobilization, deeming this practice unacceptable.
While addressing the event at Kargil Chowk, he alleged that the BJP abused administrative power by obstructing roads in a restricted area and constructing a stage, which hampered public movement and broke regulations.
Yadav condemned these actions as indicative of an "arrogance of power."
Moreover, he challenged the BJP's dedication to women's representation by presenting his party's statistics: RJD allocated 29 percent of its Lok Sabha tickets to women, 17 percent in Assembly elections, and upheld 21.4 percent representation in the Legislative Council.
He urged the BJP to publicly share similar data across various electoral levels.
In light of the march's events, Yadav remarked that JDU MLA and former minister Leshi Singh exited the gathering, citing a lack of respect, which he argued underscored discord within the NDA.
He raised questions regarding remarks made by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, challenging the justification of the event amidst alleged violations in a restricted zone.
Addressing the issue of women's reservation, Yadav voiced concerns regarding the absence of a "quota within quota" provision, insisting that marginalized women must receive equitable representation. He accused the BJP of sidestepping this crucial demand.
Yadav referenced incidents from across the nation—specifically in Manipur and Uttar Pradesh—to critique the BJP's position on women's safety, alleging selective silence on critical matters.
Additionally, he questioned the prolonged delay in receiving Presidential assent for the Women’s Reservation Bill, which was passed in 2023, asserting that the BJP was politicizing the matter instead of prioritizing its implementation.
Highlighting the RJD's commitment to women's empowerment, he pointed to the historic appointment of Rabri Devi as Bihar's first female Chief Minister, asserting that his party has consistently championed women's rights.
In conclusion, Yadav stated that the opposition remains dedicated to upholding the Constitution and ensuring inclusive representation.
Following the failure of the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha a few days prior, hundreds of women affiliated with the NDA participated in a significant protest march at Gandhi Maidan on Monday.
Women from across Bihar joined what was termed a March of Outrage, chanting slogans and displaying placards demanding women's rights and representation.
The event was led by senior NDA officials, including Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who participated in the demonstration and addressed the audience.