Patna: As Bihar gears up for the upcoming assembly elections, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has taken to the streets, demanding the implementation of an increased reservation quota. Amid the ongoing assembly session, the reservation issue has resonated both inside and outside the legislative house. On Sunday, Tejashwi, along with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders and workers, held a one-day dharna at the party headquarters in Patna.
The protest, organised by the Patna District RJD, called for the enforcement of the 65% reservation policy introduced during the Grand Alliance government. Addressing party workers, Tejashwi accused the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of deliberately stalling the reservation increase by not including it in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, leaving it vulnerable to legal challenges. Senior RJD leaders were present at the demonstration, voicing their concerns over what they termed as “anti-reservation policies” of the ruling coalition.
‘Job Losses Due to Reservation Cap’
Ahead of the protest, Tejashwi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the impact of the reservation cap. “The 10% reservation limit imposed by our government in Bihar has directly led to the loss of job opportunities for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and Most Backward Classes. Over 10,000 youth from these communities have lost their jobs due to this policy. Additionally, in the third phase of BPSC teacher recruitment, thousands more have been deprived of employment opportunities,” he wrote.
The RJD also amplified its message on X, accusing the NDA of systematically undermining reservation policies. “Reservation eater, job thief BJP-Nitish government, answer! A government that stole 50,000 jobs from Dalits, backward, and most backward communities, answer! A government that obstructed 65% reservation for Bahujans, answer! Rashtriya Janata Dal stands firmly with every Dalit, backward, and extremely backward unemployed youth,” the party’s official handle posted.
