As Bihar gears up for upcoming assembly elections, political tensions are escalating. Tejashwi Yadav, a prominent opposition leader, has launched a sharp critique against Sanjay Jha, a JDU executive president and Rajya Sabha MP. Yadav alleges that Jha improperly facilitated the appointment of his daughters, who purportedly lack the necessary experience, to the Group-A Panel Council of the Supreme Court, branding it a “classical example of familism.”

The RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) shared documents on X, formerly known as Twitter, asserting that Adya Jha and Satya Jha, daughters of Sanjay Jha, have been appointed as lawyers in the Supreme Court by the Central Government. According to the RJDS claims,this appointment,lasting three years,allows them to represent the central government in legal cases.The party further alleges that these appointments were secured through the influence of power, bypassing standard experience requirements.

“Power is being used for personal interests,while the general public is being misled.”

Opposition Demands Transparency in Appointments

Tejashwi Yadav has questioned the fairness of the appointments, asking how many individuals from disadvantaged communities within the JDU have received similar opportunities. He argues that such appointments undermine social justice and deprive deserving candidates of their rights. Yadav directly challenged Sanjay Jha,questioning how his daughters secured positions in the Group-A panel so quickly.He contends that the appointment process lacks transparency and represents an injustice to the future of the mithila region in Bihar.

Accusations of ‘Beti-Damad Model’

The RJD has characterized the situation as a “Beti-Damad Model,” suggesting that positions of power are being reserved for families with close ties to those in authority. The party stated that the incident exemplifies how some individuals secure advantages by undermining the merit and rights of the underprivileged.

Social Media reactions

The controversy has ignited significant debate on social media platforms.One user, “The Social Scientist,” questioned the level of nepotism, highlighting the simultaneous appointment of Sanjay Jha’s daughters as panel advocates. Another user, Prabhat Singh, lamented that opportunities are primarily available to the families of influential figures, while ordinary citizens are relegated to voting in elections.

Congress leader Weighs In

Congress leader Uday Bhanu shared a photo of PM Modi with Sanjay Jha’s daughters, questioning whether nepotism and corruption had infiltrated the Supreme Court. Bhanu criticized the direct appointment of Jha’s daughters as government lawyers, alleging that they bypassed more deserving candidates. He also questioned whether the interests of Bihar were compromised.

Opposition Criticizes Government’s silence

The Nitish Kumar government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the controversy. The opposition has seized on this silence, alleging a lack of transparency in the appointments. Tejashwi Yadav has accused the government of prioritizing personal interests over the public good.RJD leaders claim that certain families are exploiting their positions for personal gain, disregarding caste balance and perpetuating social injustice.

familism in Bihar Politics

While familism is not a new phenomenon in Bihar politics, the recent allegations have intensified the debate. The issue is highly likely to become a significant point of contention in the upcoming assembly elections, possibly weakening the NDA’s position.