Political tempers flared in Bihar’s Chhapra constituency after Tej Pratap Yadav, elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and head of the Janshakti Janata Dal, mocked Bhojpuri superstar and RJD candidate Khesari Lal Yadav over his election promise of creating “2 crore jobs.”

Taking a swipe at the actor-singer during a public interaction, Tej Pratap sarcastically remarked, “What job will Khesari Lal provide? Nachne wala? (A dancing one?)” — a jibe that quickly went viral across social media and drew backlash from Khesari’s supporters as well as several within the film fraternity.

The remark, perceived as both personal and dismissive, triggered a heated exchange online, with many accusing Tej Pratap of disrespecting the entertainment community that commands massive influence in Bihar’s cultural landscape.

When quizzed about the NDA’s “Sankalp Patra” (manifesto) and its promises, Tej Pratap appeared cautious, saying, “Elections are underway. We’ll see how things unfold.” His restrained tone indicated a calculated attempt to steer clear of detailed policy debates while maintaining the spotlight on political sparring.

Responding to the “nachaniya” (dancer) taunt, Khesari Lal Yadav chose grace over aggression. Without naming Tej Pratap directly, he reminded reporters that similar comments had been made earlier by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary.

Speaking to the media, Khesari said, “Words mean nothing to those who haven’t earned their place through effort. But to those who’ve struggled to reach where they are, every word has value. If someone calls me ‘nachaniya,’ I can accept it — he’s my senior. But insulting others for political gain crosses the line.”

Calling for greater restraint in political discourse, Khesari Lal emphasized, “Those in public life must remember that their words shape the thinking of young people. Respect should never be compromised, even in competition.”