Bihar Assembly: BJP targets Tejashwi Yadav over monsoon session absence
Synopsis
On day three of Bihar's monsoon session, the BJP turned the opposition's empty benches into a political spectacle — with a jibe about Tejashwi Yadav 'mediating the US-Iran conflict' landing hardest. With both LoP posts in the Assembly and Council vacant and the RJD silent, the ruling alliance has found an unlikely but effective accountability cudgel.
Key Takeaways
Tejashwi Prasad Yadav , Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly , has been absent since the monsoon session began on 20 July .
BJP MLA Baidyanath Prasad raised the issue on the floor of the Assembly on 22 July , accusing Tejashwi of neglecting constitutional duties.
Rabri Devi , LoP in the Bihar Legislative Council , is also absent — she has travelled to New Delhi to be with Lalu Prasad Yadav , who is receiving treatment at AIIMS .
Tejashwi Yadav is reportedly on a foreign visit, though the RJD has not confirmed this officially.
The five-day monsoon session is scheduled to conclude on 24 July ; the opposition has issued no formal response to the criticism.
Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav's conspicuous absence from the Bihar Legislative Assembly turned into a sharp political flashpoint on 22 July, the third day of the ongoing monsoon session, as ruling alliance legislators demanded accountability from the opposition leadership. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has yet to offer a formal response to the mounting criticism.
BJP's Charge on the Assembly Floor
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Baidyanath Prasad raised the matter directly during proceedings, asserting that Tejashwi Yadav was failing to discharge his constitutional obligations by staying away from the House. 'The people of Bihar have a right to know where the Leader of Opposition is,' Prasad said on the floor of the Assembly.
In a pointed jibe, Prasad questioned whether Tejashwi Yadav was 'mediating the US-Iran conflict or relaxing somewhere' — remarks that drew attention to what the ruling alliance characterised as a dereliction of legislative duty during an important session.
Both Opposition Leaders Missing
The ruling alliance also noted that the Leaders of Opposition in both Houses of the Bihar Legislature have been absent since the session commenced on 20 July. Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, LoP in the Legislative Assembly, has not participated in any proceedings; and Rabri Devi, LoP in the Legislative Council, has similarly remained away.
According to reports, Tejashwi Yadav has been out of Bihar for several days and is believed to be on a foreign visit, though no official confirmation has been issued by the RJD. Rabri Devi, meanwhile, has travelled to New Delhi to be with RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is undergoing medical treatment at AIIMS following recent health concerns.
Ruling Alliance Seizes the Moment
The dual absence has handed the ruling alliance a ready political weapon, which it has deployed both inside the Assembly chamber and in public statements outside it. Critics argue that the opposition's silence on its own absence weakens its standing to hold the government accountable on issues affecting Bihar's citizens during a critical legislative window.
Notably, this is not the first time the Bihar opposition's attendance record has drawn scrutiny during a session, underscoring a recurring tension between legislative participation and political travel by senior leaders.
Session Timeline and What Comes Next
The five-day monsoon session of the Bihar Assembly, which began on 20 July, is scheduled to conclude on 24 July. With two days remaining, the opposition faces pressure to either return to the House or explain its absence publicly. The RJD has not issued any formal statement addressing the criticism as of the time of reporting.
Point of View
But it works precisely because the opposition has offered no counter-narrative. Rabri Devi's absence is more defensible given Lalu Prasad Yadav's health, but the silence from the party on Tejashwi's whereabouts compounds the problem. In Bihar's highly charged political environment, perception of absenteeism can harden into a lasting electoral liability.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Tejashwi Yadav absent from the Bihar Assembly monsoon session?
According to reports, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has been away from Bihar for several days and is believed to be on a foreign visit. The RJD has not issued any official confirmation or explanation for his absence from the ongoing monsoon session.
What did BJP MLA Baidyanath Prasad say about Tejashwi Yadav's absence?
BJP MLA Baidyanath Prasad said on the Assembly floor that Tejashwi Yadav was failing his constitutional responsibilities by staying away from the House. He sarcastically questioned whether the Leader of Opposition was 'mediating the US-Iran conflict or relaxing somewhere' instead of attending the session.
Why is Rabri Devi absent from the Bihar Legislative Council?
Rabri Devi, Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council, has travelled to New Delhi to accompany RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is undergoing medical treatment at AIIMS following recent health concerns.
When does the Bihar Assembly monsoon session end?
The five-day monsoon session of the Bihar Assembly began on 20 July and is scheduled to conclude on 24 July 2025. Two sitting days remain as of the third day, when the BJP raised the issue of the opposition's absence.
Has the RJD responded to the BJP's criticism?
No. As of the time of reporting, the opposition has not issued any formal response to the ruling alliance's criticism regarding the absence of its leaders from the ongoing monsoon session.
