Patna: The absence of Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav from the Bihar Legislative Assembly became a political issue on the third day of the monsoon session, with ruling alliance legislators questioning why he has not been attending the proceedings.
The issue was raised during the Assembly session by BJP MLA Baidyanath Prasad, who said the Leader of Opposition was failing to discharge his constitutional responsibilities by remaining absent from the House.
Speaking in the Assembly, Baidyanath Prasad remarked that the people of Bihar have a right to know where the Leader of Opposition is.
In a political jibe, he questioned whether Tejashwi Yadav was mediating the US-Iran conflict or relaxing somewhere instead of participating in the Assembly and raising issues concerning Bihar.
The remarks reflected the ruling alliance’s criticism that the opposition leadership was absent during an important legislative session.
The ruling party also pointed out that the Leaders of Opposition in both Houses of the Bihar Legislature have not been attending the monsoon session since it began on July 20.
Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, LoP in the Legislative Assembly, has not participated in the proceedings; and Rabri Devi, LoP in the Legislative Council, has also remained absent.
According to reports, Tejashwi Yadav has been away from Bihar for several days and is believed to be on a foreign visit.
Meanwhile, Rabri Devi has travelled to Delhi to accompany RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is undergoing medical treatment at AIIMS after his recent health concerns.
The ruling alliance has used the absence of the opposition leaders to question their commitment to legislative responsibilities, both inside and outside the Assembly.
The opposition has not issued any formal response to the latest criticism regarding the absence of its leaders from the ongoing monsoon session.
The five-day monsoon session of the Bihar Assembly, which began on July 20, will conclude on July 24.
IANS
