Patna, July 27: The political upheaval has taken Tejashwi Yadav from deputy chief minister to leader of Opposition in the Assembly, and experts feel the new role will be the real test of the young leader's mettle.
"Being a minister, you have the back-up of bureaucrats who tackle most of the work," said a veteran political observer who did not wish to be identified.
"The leader of Opposition, however, has to be a good orator and should also have the quality to take everyone into confidence keeping all the constitutional nitty-gritty in mind."
The pundit cited the example of Tejashwi's mother, Rabri Devi , and said it was possible for the "semi-literate lady" to be chief minister for seven years because she had the back-up of bureaucrats.
"But everyone knows what happened when the RJD lost the election in 2005," he added.
A veteran RJD leader explained on condition of anonymity: "It is a fact that when she became leader of Opposition in 2005, she hardly used to do anything and the leader sitting next to her would talk on her behalf. The leader of Opposition is the main voice of the Opposition party and if that person will remain silent, it would send a wrong message.
"In 2009, when the RJD performed badly in the Lok Sabha election, there was talk that her being leader of Opposition hamstrung the party," the leader added.
In the 2010 Assembly election, Rabri lost both Raghopur and Sonepur Assembly seats and Abdul Bari Siddiqui was made leader of Opposition in the Assembly. Even with just 22 MLAs, Siddiqui made the ruling party uncomfortable with his arguments and debates, veterans point out.
"Tejashwi is a good orator but being leader of Opposition is really tough as you have to be fully aware about the constitutional rules to avoid embarrassment in the House," said another RJD leader.
"The leader of Opposition also must keep the morale of the party workers high by taking the fight to the government."
As minister, Tejashwi would read out written material during Assembly debates. Now, he will have to speak extempore.
