Fierce confrontations gripped the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Monday, sparked by RJD MLA Kumar Sarvesh’s contentious reference to Ram Vilas Paswan as ‘bechara.’ Treasury bench MLAs from LJP(RV) erupted in protest at the session’s start, surrounding the Bodh Gaya representative and stalling proceedings with vociferous demands for an apology. Despite Speaker Prem Kumar’s interventions, the melee persisted, culminating in the house’s prorogation till afternoon.
Hailing the late minister as their ideological patriarch, LJP(RV) accused RJD of casteist vilification, especially galling given Sarvesh’s own Dalit background. The prior week’s speech allegedly sowed the seeds of discord, exploding into full view during budget deliberations. RJD pivoted to their pet issue—increasing reservation to 85% for backwards—brandishing banners in defiance.
Sarvesh later told reporters the controversy masked assaults on SC/ST/OBC entitlements by BJP and allies, with Chirag Paswan staying mum. He contextualized his remark: Paswan alive would have averted today’s woes. Raju Tiwari of LJP(RV) hit back, decrying it as anti-Dalit rhetoric unworthy of Bihar’s assembly.
Echoing weekend agitations and effigy burnings of Tejashwi Yadav, the unrest signals deeper rifts. As Bihar navigates its budget session, such theatrics threaten to eclipse substantive policy discourse, reminding stakeholders of the high stakes in the state’s polarized political arena.