Bihar is expected to witness on Monday significant political statements from two different opposition figures: Lalu Prasad Yadav, chief of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the embattled Chirag Paswan.
RJD foundation day
The RJD is celebrating the anniversary of its founding on July 5 in 1997. The virtual celebrations were kicked off by Tejashwi Yadav, the son of Lalu Yadav, on Sunday.
Lalu, who had been released on bail, will address the virtual event from Delhi where he is undergoing treatment. The event is being watched as it will be Lalu's first speech since his conviction and imprisonment in Fodder Scam cases in 2017.
Tejashwi was quoted by The Times of India as saying, “It will be the first occasion when Laluji will be addressing the workers after a long gap due to his poor health condition. He will give message to them and also discuss the political scenario prevailing in the state and the country as well.”
According to a Twitter post by Lalu on Sunday, the events on the foundation day celebration will start at 10am on Monday, with his speech expected by 1.20pm.
Chirag yatra
Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan, who was last month 'ousted' as leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), will lauch a 'ashirwad yatra' from Hajipur, the stronghold of his late father and party founder Ram Vilas Paswan. The yatra is being held to mark the birth anniversary of Ram Vilas Paswan.
Chirag had said last month the rally would traverse the state. The yatra is being perceived as a statement of intent by Chirag to build up support as he seeks to regain control of the LJP from the faction of his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras.
Interestingly, the RJD had mentioned it would pay tributes to Ram Vilas Paswan. Since the upheaval in the LJP, Tejashwi had reached out to Chirag, asking him to move away from the BJP-led NDA.