A political war of words has intensified in poll-bound Bihar with Bhojpuri actor-singer and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate from Chhapra, Khesari Lal Yadav, slamming both Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and BJP MP Ravi Kishan for calling him a “dancer” and insulting his work in the industry.
While Samrat Chaudhary recently taunted Khesari by calling him a "dancer," Ravi Kishan, who himself is a Bhojpuri actor, launched a scathing attack on Yadav, without naming him, saying “some people have sold out Bhojpuri”. Kishan said everything in Bhojpuri cinema was now “sanatan” and the moment he left the industry, some sold the industry. “Where my films used to celebrate silver jubilees in Chhapra and throughout Bihar, there's not a single audience there today. Who is the reason for that? Who defamed Bhojpuri?” Kishan asked.
To this, Yadav, in an emotional statement, defended his work. He took a jibe at the NDA, stating that they started hiring dancers in the first place. “The people who called me a dancer already have three dancers in their gang, and one has just recently joined. He was the one who started hiring dancers in the first place," he said, taking a jibe at the BJP.
“Entertainment isn't a crime,” Yadav said. "Some people say my songs are dirty. I ask, which hospital, drain, or school has been damaged because of my songs?" He clarified that it's not a crime for an artist to make people laugh and entertain. He alleged that those who are insulting artists are the ones who have actually left Bihar in a state of disrepair.
At the end of the meeting, Khesari Lal Yadav said that he was more interested in serving the people than in politics. He said, "Don't make me a leader, I'm fine being an artist. If I become a leader, I might become a sinner."
Earlier, Yadav had responded to Samrat Chaudhary's statement about him being a “dancer”. "First, Samrat Chaudhary should look into his own house and explain why he has given tickets to four dancers in his party." Khesari Lal Yadav further said, "Samrat Bhaiya is like my elder brother; I need his blessings. He speaks according to the family and environment he comes from. But my upbringing and values are not such that I would say anything wrong about him," Yadav said.