Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar’s Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has hinted that his party may appoint a Muslim Deputy Chief Minister if it comes to power after the upcoming state elections.

Speaking exclusively to Millat Times, Yadav said all communities would be “taken care of” and their “worries will be removed,” when asked directly whether a Muslim would be made Deputy CM.

The remarks come amid widespread discussions about minority representation in Bihar’s political landscape.

Yadav strongly refuted claims that RJD has neglected Muslim representation in the state, noting that nearly 40% of the party’s nominated MLCs are Muslims. “This is a big conspiracy to defame us,” he said. “In our party, Muslims are given substantial roles in councils and committees. If we come to power, we will ensure a Muslim Deputy Chief Minister, removing all concerns of our community.”

Yadav also commented on alliance negotiations, including requests from the All India Majlis-e-Tahadur Muslims for six seats. “Bihar is our primary focus. We cannot give everything to everyone; we must strategize to ensure governance and representation for the state first,” he explained.

The RJD leader highlighted the struggles his party has faced from central agencies and media bias. “We are fighting with the ED, CBI, Income Tax, Godi media, and all central and state ministers. Every family in ours has faced legal battles. Despite all this, we have never compromised on our principles or ideology,” Yadav said. He alleged that mainstream media often portrays the party negatively, influenced by BJP narratives.

“The fight is ideological,” he added. “We fight for the rights of the people and for social justice. Our father always fought for the marginalized and never compromised, even when faced with tremendous pressure.”

Ticket Distribution and Youth Engagement

On ticket distribution, Yadav acknowledged that some young leaders have raised objections but underlined that the party continues to provide opportunities for marginalized groups, including Muslims, through nominations and committee positions. “Even within alliances, we ensure representation and do not compromise with BJP or RSS ideologies. Our leadership has maintained this principle for decades,” he asserted.

He also shared that past electoral conflicts in other states like Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir were resolved strategically without harming alliances. “Every party has its own election strategy, and ours is designed to maximize representation and governance efficiency,” he said.

Employment and Governance Achievements

Highlighting RJD’s governance record from 2015 to 2020, Yadav pointed to notable achievements in employment, education, and healthcare.

“In 17 months, we gave employment to 3.5 lakh people, surveyed 4.5 lakh uneducated individuals, and implemented free medicine programs covering 600 essential drugs,” he said. He stressed that his government would aim to provide government jobs to every family in Bihar that does not currently have one, promising practical solutions over political rhetoric.

Yadav criticized national leadership for failing to deliver on promises. “Modi Ji is a manufacturer of lies. Tejashwi Yadav is a man of his word. We don’t play with words; we act,” he declared.

Tejashwi Yadav also addressed electoral transparency issues, citing the Supreme Court’s decision to accept Aadhaar as a valid document for voter verification after 4.5 lakh people lost their names from electoral rolls. “We fought in courts and on the streets for transparency. People became aware, and now the process is more accountable,” he said.

When asked about who should be Chief Minister, Yadav remained focused on governance rather than personal power struggles. “Our priority is education, healthcare, and employment for every family. We want positive politics, long-term development, and social justice,” he said.

Concluding the interview, he expressed confidence in the people of Bihar. “The owner of Bihar is the people. They are eager for change, and we have full faith that this time, social justice, representation, and employment will reach every household,” Yadav affirmed.