Tejashwi Yadav Dismisses Row Over ‘Extremist’ Remark on Owaisi as Bihar Campaign Enters Final Stretch

Patna, Nov 2025 : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday declined to elaborate on his recent “extremist” remark directed at All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, calling the controversy a “non-issue.” Speaking at a press conference on the final day of campaigning for the Bihar Assembly elections, the first phase of which is scheduled for November 6, the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial candidate urged reporters to focus on real concerns affecting the state. “This is not an issue right now,” he said.

The remark came in response to questions about Owaisi’s latest post on social media platform X, where the AIMIM leader shared a clip of Tejashwi Yadav allegedly stating that there is “no place for extremists” in the Mahagathbandhan. In the video, Yadav can be heard telling a journalist that the alliance “does not welcome extremists,” prompting a sharp response from Owaisi during a rally in Kishanganj on November 2.

Addressing supporters, Owaisi said, “Today an interviewer asked Tejashwi Yadav why he didn’t ally with Owaisi. Tejashwi said Owaisi is an extremist, a fundamentalist, a terrorist… I ask Tejashwi, ‘Babu, please write the word extremist in English.’ He calls me an extremist because I proudly practice my religion.” The AIMIM chief accused Yadav of resorting to targeted political attacks and reiterated that standing by one’s faith does not make anyone an extremist.

Despite Owaisi’s calls for all “secular forces” to unite to defeat the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the AIMIM has not been invited to join the Mahagathbandhan. Instead, the party is contesting the Bihar elections independently, fielding candidates in 25 constituencies, including Jokihat, Araria, Gaurabauram, and Barari.

Bihar’s political arena is witnessing a multi-front contest, with the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan as the two principal alliances. The NDA consists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Meanwhile, the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan comprises the Congress, CPI-ML (Liberation) led by Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI, CPI-M, and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP).

Adding further complexity to the electoral landscape, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party is contesting all 343 seats, projecting itself as an alternative to both major fronts.

The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases, on November 6 and 11, followed by the counting of votes on November 14. As campaigning concludes, parties are intensifying efforts to consolidate support, while controversies around political rhetoric continue to shape the final days before voting.