Patna: Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has started meeting common people and party workers at his 5 Desh Ratna Marg official bungalow.

The idea is to get a feel of things happening across the state and listen to people's grievances. Tejashwi meets common people from 3 to 5pm from Monday to Friday and party workers on Saturday and Sunday. "When I was deputy chief minister, I used to meet people at the party office but now my role in the Opposition is different," Tejashwi told The Telegraph. "It is important for any democracy to have a strong Opposition and time and again we've been raising issues related to people of Bihar. Meeting common people will let me know of local issues I can raise with the government." He further said: "Being Leader of the Opposition, it is my duty to meet people, as I represent 80 of our MLAs."

Tejashwi's father RJD chief Lalu Prasad meets people and party workers everyday from 5pm onwards. He also tries to solve their problems by calling up officials concerned.

Tejashwi said party workers and common people help him plan strategies against the government. "Government officials might tell lies but residents will not," Tejashwi said. "They will give you the true picture. Earlier, people used to come and return without meeting me, so I decided to fix a time for them." He said one should never forget those who send them to the Assembly.

"Tejashwi ji was easily available even when he was deputy CM," said Avinash Yadav from Tejashwi's constituency of Raghopur. "Even as Leader of the Opposition, he remains available."