Tejashwi Yadav says centre neglects Bihar as floods batter millions

The Hindu reported that the Legislative Assembly of Bihar estimated more than 48 lakh residents have been affected by the recent monsoon floods. Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, addressing the crisis, accused the central government of treating the state as a “stepchild,” suggesting that relief efforts have lagged behind the scale of devastation.

Yadav’s remarks also targeted the so‑called “double‑engine” arrangement – the partnership between the state’s ruling party and the Union government – which he claimed has “caught fire” in the wake of the disaster. He said both engines appear more focused on political point‑scoring than on delivering urgent assistance to flood‑stricken districts.

According to The Hindu, the floodwaters have inundated large swathes of northern and eastern Bihar, submerging homes, destroying crops and disrupting transport links. The state’s disaster management apparatus has mobilised rescue teams, but officials say coordination with central ministries remains strained. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has pledged financial aid, yet Yadav argues that the disbursement process is slow and that critical supplies have not reached the most affected villages.

Bihar’s vulnerability to flooding is not new. Situated on the floodplain of the Ganges and its tributaries, the state experiences seasonal inundation every monsoon. Climate‑induced intensification of rains over the past decade has amplified the frequency and severity of such events, putting pressure on already stretched infrastructure. Historically, the central government has played a pivotal role in funding large‑scale relief, but political frictions often affect the speed and efficiency of that support.

The current dispute underscores a broader pattern of centre‑state tensions in India, where fiscal transfers and disaster‑relief responsibilities can become politicised. Analysts note that while the Union’s National Disaster Management Authority can deploy resources, implementation largely depends on state cooperation. As the floodwaters recede, the focus is expected to shift to rehabilitation, reconstruction of damaged roads and schools, and compensation for agricultural losses, all of which will test the working relationship between New Delhi and Patna.

For now, Tejashwi Yadav has called for a “swift, transparent and people‑centric” response, urging the centre to honour its constitutional obligations and to prioritize relief over rhetoric.