Calling him an "election sanatani", the BJP has hit out at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for having fish during Navratri. The BJP's reaction came after Tejashwi Yadav posted a video of him and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni having fish in a helicopter after campaigning.

Amid the controversy, Tejashwi Yadav said the video was shot on April 8, a day before Navratri. During Navratri, most Hindus avoid eating onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food during the nine-day festival.

"I was taking the IQ test of BJP people. The dates are mentioned in the video, and it was shot on April 8. These people don't know how to read or write. The BJP will never say anything on issues like unemployment, migration and poverty and will jump on non-issues," the RJD leader said.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh called it an "insult to sanatan", saying the former Bihar deputy Chief Minister was doing appeasement politics. "Tejashwi Yadav is an 'election sanatani'. They do politics of appeasement by wearing the mask of Sanatan. He is a fan of appeasement, a vote dealer," Singh said.

Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Sinha also lashed out at the RJD leader for "bringing shame to religion and values". "He (Tejashwi Yadav) wants to become a sanatani but could not learn sanatani values. Eats mutton in Sawan and fish in Navratri just for votes. These people insult religion," Sinha said.

In the video, Tejashwi is seen having lunch with 'Son of Mallah' Mukesh Sahni in a helicopter. Mallah is the fisherman community in Bihar. The RJD leader says that he just gets around 10–15 minutes to have food during the election season.

The two leaders were seen having roti and fish for lunch. Tejashwi also says that due to the sweltering heat, he carries watermelon juice and sattu with him to drink.

Sahni, who was previously with the NDA, rejoined the Opposition Grand Alliance in Bihar last month. The Sahni-led VIP will field candidates in Gopalganj, Motihari and Jhanjharpur constituencies.

Source: India Today