Bihar inflation row: Tejashwi targets NDA govt, BJP fires back at Rabri Devi
Synopsis
Bihar's political temperature spiked on 30 June as Tejashwi Yadav accused the Samrat Choudhary-led NDA government of fuelling inflation and ignoring economic distress — only for BJP state chief Sanjay Saraogi to pivot the attack onto Rabri Devi's tenure. The exchange signals both sides are already in campaign mode, with inflation emerging as the RJD's sharpest weapon.
Key Takeaways
Tejashwi Yadav on 30 June accused the NDA government in Bihar of failing to control prices of tomatoes, onions, potatoes, pulses, flour, and edible oil.
He also alleged hoarding, black marketing, unemployment , and corruption have worsened under the current dispensation.
BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi called the day Rabri Devi became Chief Minister 'a black day for Bihar.' Tejashwi had earlier called CM Samrat Choudhary a 'selected Chief Minister' and used the phrase 'Cheap Minister' — remarks the BJP has condemned.
Both sides are sharpening attacks ahead of future electoral contests in the state, with inflation and governance as the central fault lines.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday, 30 June escalated the political battle in Bihar, accusing the Samrat Choudhary-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of failing to rein in soaring prices of essential commodities. The broadside drew an immediate counter from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Sanjay Saraogi, who redirected fire at former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, sharpening what is becoming an increasingly combative political climate in the state.
Tejashwi's Inflation Charge
In a social media post, Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the rising prices of tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and other essential food items have placed a heavy burden on ordinary households. He claimed that after successive increases in the prices of petrol, diesel, and LPG, consumers are now grappling with escalating costs of daily necessities including pulses, flour, vegetables, and edible oil.
The RJD leader further alleged that hoarding, black marketing, unemployment, poverty, and corruption have compounded the public's economic distress under the NDA dispensation. He accused the BJP-led alliance of pursuing policies that, in his view, have adversely impacted common citizens.
BJP's Counterattack
Responding to the criticism of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi launched a pointed counter, calling the day Rabri Devi took oath as Bihar's Chief Minister 'a black day for the state.' Saraogi urged Tejashwi to reflect on that period before questioning the current government's record.
The BJP also condemned Tejashwi's earlier remarks in which he referred to CM Choudhary as a 'selected Chief Minister' and used the phrase 'Cheap Minister' — language the ruling alliance has characterised as unbecoming of a Leader of the Opposition.
A Pattern of Political Escalation
This is not an isolated exchange. The RJD has consistently targeted the NDA government on inflation, governance, and unemployment, while the BJP has repeatedly invoked the Lalu Prasad Yadav–Rabri Devi era — a period critics associate with lawlessness and economic stagnation — as a counterweight. Notably, Monday's remarks by Tejashwi about CM Choudhary set the tone for Tuesday's intensified back-and-forth.
This comes amid a broader national debate over food inflation, with vegetable prices — particularly tomatoes and onions — having surged in several states in recent weeks, lending the opposition's charges a degree of public resonance.
What This Signals
The latest exchange underscores that both sides are sharpening their messaging well ahead of future electoral contests in Bihar. The RJD is seeking to consolidate its position as the voice of economic grievance, while the BJP is doubling down on legacy attacks against the Yadav family's governance record. The allegations and counter-allegations from both sides are political statements, and independent verification of the specific claims made has not been established.
Point of View
And the RJD's core constituency feels it acutely. But the BJP's reflex to invoke the Rabri Devi era, rather than defend the current government's price-control record, suggests the ruling alliance is more comfortable on historical terrain than on present economic data. The absence of any government rebuttal on actual inflation figures is telling. If vegetable prices remain elevated through the monsoon months, the RJD's narrative will only gain traction — and the BJP's legacy counter will wear thinner each time it is deployed.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Tejashwi Yadav say about inflation in Bihar?
Tejashwi Yadav alleged on 30 June that the NDA government in Bihar has failed to control rising prices of tomatoes, onions, potatoes, pulses, flour, vegetables, and edible oil. He also accused the government of allowing hoarding and black marketing to worsen the public's economic situation.
How did the BJP respond to Tejashwi Yadav's criticism?
BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi did not directly defend the government's inflation record. Instead, he called the day Rabri Devi took oath as Bihar's Chief Minister 'a black day for the state' and urged Tejashwi to recall that period before criticising the current administration.
What earlier remarks by Tejashwi Yadav drew BJP condemnation?
Tejashwi had referred to Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary as a 'selected Chief Minister' and used the phrase 'Cheap Minister.' The BJP condemned both remarks as unbecoming of a Leader of the Opposition.
Why is this political clash significant for Bihar?
The exchange signals that both the RJD-led opposition and the NDA ruling alliance are already in campaign mode, with inflation, governance, and unemployment emerging as the central fault lines. The intensity of the back-and-forth reflects the high political stakes ahead of future elections in Bihar.
Are the inflation claims independently verified?
The allegations and counter-allegations made by both sides are political statements. Independent verification of the specific inflation-related claims has not been established, and the figures cited have not been attributed to official government or economic data.
