Centre treating Bihar as stepchild: Tejashwi Yadav on flood-related issues

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RJD leader and LoP Tejashwi Yadav addresses a press conference on issues regarding the recent flood, in Patna on September 13, 2026. | Photo Credit: ANI

Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday (September 13, 2026) slammed both the State and central government over the lack of seriousness in dealing with the recent Bihar floods, claiming that the State is being treated like a “stepchild”.

Mr. Yadav, who is the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National Working President, said he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that the Bihar floods be declared a national disaster, and also sought compensation and a special economic package for affected families. The Central government has not shown any seriousness in this regard so far, he said.

Over 48 lakh people are affected by the floods, Mr. Yadav said, adding that he had also written to Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, but to no avail. Mr. Yadav alleged that the ‘double-engine’ government in Bihar is not serious about this issue and that both engines have caught fire, preventing people from receiving aid. There has been no hearing or action taken yet, he added.

The RJD leader asserted that although there are eight NDA Ministers and 30 Lok Sabha MPs from Bihar, the people of the State have been left to deal with the situation by themselves.

“The state government withdrew ₹4,000 crore from the Contingency Fund in July and utilised the money for salaries and other administrative expenses. Bihar’s treasury is empty, and the Central Government ministers from the state lack the clout to secure central assistance,” Mr. Yadav said.

He added that during the Kosi floods (2008), his father and then Union Minister for Railways Lalu Prasad had secured a special package for Bihar. “At that time, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ji and Congress National President Sonia Gandhi ji visited Bihar to provide relief funds and ensure justice for the Kosi flood victims. In contrast, the attitude of the Narendra Modi government towards Bihar reveals their mindset,”Mr. Yadav said.

He further claimed that in Gujarat, even if there is rainfall, the government immediately sets up relief camps and provides all possible assistance, including a package to the State.

Mr. Yadav also alleged that leaders of the BJP and the central government always ignore the people of Bihar during times of disaster, and when election season comes, everyone from the Prime Minister to the Home Minister starts visiting to seek votes.

“Bihar is being treated like a stepchild, as no assistance is received from BJP-ruled states. During elections, Amit Shah speaks of making Bihar flood-free; however, when more than 47 lakh people are trapped in the devastation of the floods—he is nowhere to be found, not even issuing a single statement. This attitude reveals the nature of the Centre and State’s conduct towards Bihar; those in power are simply not serious about this issue,” Mr. Yadav said.

He claimed that when he visited the flood-affected areas to meet the victims, the boat he was given by State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) began to deflate in the middle of the river, and villagers had to rescue him.

Mr. Yadav said that in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition, he assessed the situation and demanded that the government should provide aid and financial assistance to the flood victims.

According to the Bihar Disaster Management Department (DMD), over 48.35 lakh people were affected by floods in 87 blocks of 15 districts.

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