Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi plays politico-cum-cricketer
Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday played a cricketer as well as a politician on his visit to the steel city.
Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday played a cricketer as well as a politician on his visit to the steel city.
On a maiden visit to Jharkhand after becoming the deputy CM, Yadav arrived at Ranchi by the afternoon flight from Patna and proceeded to Jamshedpur to attend Indian speedster Varun Aaron’s wedding, slated for Thursday.
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Yadav announced launch of Grand Alliance in Jharkhand soon. “The Grand Alliance will contest the Godda assembly byelection,” he said, raising the political heat in a state.
Jharkhand NDA had recently suffered a humiliating defeat in the Lohardagga assembly bypoll last year at the hands of UPA. Yadav said the Lohardagga result was a proof that Jharkhand voters were now fed up with the NDA.
Taking a dig at the Raghubar Das-led government, he said it had failed to carry out infrastructure development, which had plenty of opportunities for growth. “Road connectivity also needs to be developed,” he added.
The Nitish Kumar-led Grand Alliance government in Bihar was marching on the path of development under “Bihar Vikas Mission to ensure all round development in the next five years,” Yadav said. “We’ve fulfilled two of our poll promises of 35% reservation for women and liquor ban,” he added.
The Bihar deputy CM also ridiculed the Centre’s Smart City project, saying Rs 200 crore per city was just impractical and inadequate.
Once in Jamshedpur, the cricketer in Yadav surfaced and he wasted no time lambasting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for denying Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) full membership.
“BCA is one of the oldest cricket associations in the country, but it is still an associate member of the BCCI. We do not know why we are being denied full membership,” he said, stressing that his government would go ahead with construction and development of sporting infrastructure despite of BCCI’s step-motherly attitude.
Yadav said his government was constructing an international cricket stadium at Rajgir and would also develop the Moinul Haq Stadium in Patna. “We expect the BCCI to come out with some commitment for people of Bihar, who deserve to see national and international cricket matches,”Yadav told reporters at a local hotel here.
The Bihar deputy CM also sought to remind the BCCI that justice Lodha committee had recommended one state-one association. “But there are states with three associations, while Bihar is being denied its rightful claim,” he said.
Yadav said Jharkhand’s Saurabh Tiwari and current India under-19 captain Ishan Kishan were from Bihar.
“Varun is a good friend and we have played Ranji Trophy as also IPL matches for Delhi Daredevils together. So I am here to wish the newly-wed couple,”said Yadav. Asked about his marriage plan, Yadav said it would be decided by his parents.
Varun registered his marriage with school-time friend Ragini Singh here on Monday. The Christian wedding will be held at St Mary Church here on Thursday.
The joint wedding reception will be held at Tube Makers Club, which is expected to be graced by a host of current and former Indian cricketers.