"Lalu Yadav is the voice of the voiceless": CPI-ML candidate Gopal Ravidas at Patna roadshow

Patna (Bihar) [India], November 4 : RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday joined a roadshow in Patna, rallying behind CPI-ML candidate Gopal Ravidas for the Phulwari Assembly seat. Ravidas praised Lalu as the "voice of the voiceless" and expressed confidence in a Mahagathbandhan victory, emphasising Yadav's promise to deliver jobs for Bihar's youth.
Speaking to ANI, Ravidas said, "Lalu Prasad Yadav is known for becoming the voice of the voiceless... In Bihar, people want employment, and Tejashwi Yadav can only give employment to the youth of the state. The Mahagathbandhan government is going to be formed in Bihar this time."
Constituency 188, Phulwari, is one of the 38 constituencies reserved for the Scheduled Caste (SC) category. A muslim dominated area, the area has been traditionally a stronghold of the Janata Dal (United) with former minister Shyam Rajak retaining the seat for 10 years between 2010-2020.
While CPI(ML) is banking on sitting MLA Gopal Ravidas, JD(U) has brought back Shyam Rajak to wrest back control of the constituency and contest the elections in the first phase of the polls happening on November 6. Notably, Jan Suraaj Party offers a fresh face to the people in the constituency, with candidate Shashikant Prasad set to contest too.
Earlier today, Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial candidate and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed confidence in "uprooting" the 20-year-old Janata Dal (United)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and announced that his administration, if elected, will transfer Rs 30,000 into the accounts of women under the proposed 'Mai Bahin Maan Yojana'.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Yadav said, "Multiple women are excited for the Maa Behen Maan yojana we had announced, saying that they will get economic relief in this time of inflation. So we want to say that on the demands of our mothers and sisters, our government will be formed. We all know Makar Sankranti is also coming, it is a new year for people. It happens on January 14, we will form the government, and under the Maa Behen Maan yojana, we will deposit Rs 30,000 in the accounts of women, covering for the whole year."
Saying that this scheme will benefit women during the time of inflation, the RJD leader added, "In this time of inflation, they will get some economic relief. For five years, one will get Rs 1.5 lakh and for one year, Rs 30,000, which will be given on January 14."
In the run-up to the 2025 elections, Bihar is witnessing the main contest between the NDA, comprising of BJP, JD(U), HAMS, LJP (RV); and the and the Mahagathbandhan, comprising of RJD, Congress, VIP, and left parties.
Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state. The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14.