Patna: With Bihar gearing up for Assembly elections later this year, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has pledged greater representation and support for the Pal community, acknowledging its historic contribution to the political rise of his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Speaking at a state-level conference of the Bihar Rajya Pal Mahasangh at Sri Krishna Memorial Hall in Patna on Saturday, the RJD leader announced plans to constitute a dedicated Shepherd Commission for the welfare of the Pal (shepherd) community if his party comes to power. “Laluji was strengthened by the Pal community, and I will repay that debt,” he said, addressing a packed audience. Tejashwi Prasad Yadav outlined a range of commitments, including enhancing the community’s political participation and offering government compensation in cases of accidental death of livestock.
He also took the opportunity to criticise the BJP, accusing it of undermining the reservation rights of backward communities. “When the Grand Alliance government extended the reservation cap to 65% during our 17-month tenure, the BJP conspired to delay it. Had it been included in the Ninth Schedule, this deadlock wouldn’t exist,” he claimed.
Slamming the state’s governance record, the former deputy chief minister said, “If the government doesn’t allow 15-year-old vehicles on the road, why should people tolerate a 20-year-old government?”
The event was presided over by Chandramohan Pal, president of the Mahasangh, and conducted by RJD national spokesperson Dr. Dinesh Pal. Several speakers, including former minister Mangani Lal Mandal, Dr. Binod Pal, Prof. Dilip Pal, and others such as Rajesh Pal, Amarendra Pal, Vinay Pal, and Kanhaiya Pal, addressed the gathering.
