Tejashwi Yadav Adopts Mamata Banerjee’s Outsider Strategy in Bihar

With the Bihar assembly elections scheduled for March 2025, political parties are intensifying their campaigns to secure voter support. Among the key players, Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), is strategically leveraging a narrative reminiscent of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Yadav has been vocal about the “Bahari” issue, a term that translates to “outsider,” mirroring Banerjee’s “Bohiragata” rhetoric. Despite originating from different states with distinct political cultures, both leaders employ similar strategies to frame their political battles. This language aims to rally local support by portraying external political forces as threats to their respective states.

Yadav’s emphasis on the “Bihari versus Bahari” slogan seeks to counter the narrative promoted by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As national leaders from the BJP campaign in Bihar, Yadav has positioned himself as a local champion confronting what he perceives as an external power attempting to influence the state’s political landscape. This stance is particularly relevant in light of past criticisms associated with his party’s governance, often referred to as “jungle raaj.”

The “outsider” designation is not unique to Yadav or Banerjee. The TMC leader has previously classified prominent figures such as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as outsiders, describing him as a “seasonal bird” seeking votes only during election periods. This classification has been extended to BJP leaders, whom Banerjee accuses of undermining West Bengal’s political integrity. Critics of Banerjee, however, highlight the presence of TMC MPs who themselves can be viewed as outsiders, challenging the consistency of her rhetoric.

According to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, any elector for a parliamentary constituency is eligible to represent any state or Union territory, with exceptions for specific regions. This has allowed leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi to represent constituencies outside their home states. The political narrative surrounding “outsiders” is thus not merely a matter of local versus external candidates but serves to shape public perception during elections.

The BJP’s state unit has criticized Banerjee’s focus on outsider politics, suggesting it is a defensive reaction to the central government’s policies, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens. They argue that her tactics reflect a fear of losing support among her voter base.

Yadav’s continued use of the “Bahari” narrative may also connect to his resistance against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. While he has not yet articulated specific concerns following this process, his rhetoric resonates with the upcoming challenges as West Bengal prepares for its own elections next year. Observers anticipate a rise in the “Bohiragata” rhetoric as the campaigns intensify.

Notably, both leaders are addressing the ruling party that forms the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level, which secured approximately 45.5 percent of the vote share in Bihar and 38.7 percent in West Bengal during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Some analysts suggest that this regional rhetoric serves as a strategic distraction from performance records, creating a mobilisational advantage during election periods.

As the election date approaches, the political landscape in Bihar remains charged, with Yadav and Banerjee’s strategies highlighting the complexities of local versus national identities in Indian politics. The outcomes of these elections will not only shape the futures of these leaders but also influence the broader political dynamics in their respective states.