In the midst of a heated campaign for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a controversy has erupted over remarks allegedly made by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary targeting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate and Bhojpuri actor-singer Khesari Lal Yadav. The controversy, which began with a purported video of Chaudhary referring to Khesari Lal as a “nachne wala” — meaning “one who dances” — has quickly escalated into a larger political and cultural debate.

Leading the charge against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), RJD leader Rohini Acharya, the daughter of veteran politician Lalu Prasad Yadav, issued a strong response condemning what she described as derogatory and classist remarks. Acharya’s comments, which have since gained traction on social media and in political circles, not only defended artists like Khesari Lal Yadav but also questioned the BJP’s perceived hypocrisy in fielding or celebrating celebrities from the entertainment industry within its own ranks.

Speaking to the media, Acharya drew attention to several well-known BJP figures with roots in cinema and entertainment — including Hema Malini, Kangana Ranaut, Manoj Tiwari, Ravi Kishan, Nirahua (Dinesh Lal Yadav), and Pawan Singh. She accused the BJP of double standards, pointing out that while the party mocked RJD for nominating a popular performer, it had itself built significant political capital around film and music stars.

“They call others dancers, but in their own party, the NDA is carrying around dancers to gather crowds,” Acharya said, her tone sharp and accusatory. “Do those dancers feel no shame? Their faces are being used to gather crowds. Are they dancers? They are artists,” she asserted, highlighting the contradiction in BJP’s stance.

Acharya went on to defend the contribution of performers to Indian society, arguing that artists and actors are a vital part of the country’s cultural fabric. “They too have contributed to India. All our artists and actors have contributed. So many good films are made,” she remarked, underscoring the dignity of artistic professions and condemning any attempt to belittle them.

She expressed strong disapproval of the use of the word “nachaniya” — a colloquial and often pejorative term for a dancer — allegedly used by Samrat Chaudhary to describe Khesari Lal Yadav. “Can someone call an artist a ‘nachaniya’? This is the language they use. They are using the same ‘nachaniya’ to gather crowds because no one is coming to listen to their election speeches,” Acharya said. Her remarks struck a chord with many in the entertainment industry, particularly in Bhojpuri cinema, where artists have long complained of being stereotyped or dismissed despite their mass appeal and political influence.

The controversy originated a few days earlier when a video clip purportedly showing Samrat Chaudhary making the “nachne wala” comment circulated on social media. The BJP leader was seen remarking that the Mahagathbandhan — the alliance of RJD, Congress, and other opposition parties in Bihar — had to “field a dancer” as a candidate, an apparent jibe at Khesari Lal Yadav. Though Chaudhary has not officially clarified his comments, the clip drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders and prompted calls for an apology.

Khesari Lal Yadav, one of the most popular faces in Bhojpuri cinema, recently entered politics under the RJD banner. He was inducted into the party in the presence of Tejashwi Yadav on October 16 and was soon announced as the Mahagathbandhan’s candidate from the Chapra constituency. The seat, a known BJP stronghold since 2010, has now become one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the state. The BJP has fielded Choti Kumari from Chapra, while Rakhi Gupta, a well-known local figure, is contesting as an independent rebel candidate.

Chapra, located in Saran district, has deep political significance for Bihar, often regarded as a bellwether constituency reflecting broader public sentiment. The entry of Khesari Lal Yadav into the fray has added a layer of glamour and mass enthusiasm to the contest, with his popularity among the Bhojpuri-speaking population expected to play a decisive role.

Rohini Acharya’s intervention in the controversy marks a broader attempt by the RJD to turn the BJP’s criticism to its advantage, positioning itself as a defender of artists and working-class entertainers. Her remarks align with the RJD’s long-standing populist appeal and its strategy of connecting with Bihar’s rural and semi-urban electorate, which holds strong cultural ties to Bhojpuri cinema and music.

The debate has also gained national attention due to the involvement of other political figures and the overlapping controversies surrounding remarks made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. During a recent campaign rally in Darbhanga, Gandhi too invoked the metaphor of “dance” to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that the PM would “break into a dance” if the public demanded it. “Tell him at a rally, ‘Mr. Prime Minister, we’ll vote for you if you dance,’ and he’ll break into the act without a second thought,” Gandhi said, accusing Modi of being driven by political theatrics rather than governance.

Gandhi’s comments triggered a sharp reaction from the BJP, which lodged a formal complaint with the Bihar Chief Election Officer. The party termed the remarks “highly derogatory, indecent, and personal,” claiming they violated the dignity of the Prime Minister’s office and the decorum expected during an election campaign.

Thus, the “dance” debate has now evolved into a major talking point in the Bihar elections, symbolizing the fierce personal attacks and cultural jibes that have come to characterize political discourse in the state. What began as a comment on an RJD candidate’s entertainment background has spiraled into a multi-layered controversy about class bias, respect for the arts, and the boundaries of political speech.

For Rohini Acharya and the RJD, the controversy has provided an opportunity to highlight what they perceive as BJP’s elitist tendencies and disdain for popular culture. By framing artists like Khesari Lal Yadav as representatives of the people’s aspirations, the party aims to deepen its connection with the masses and counter the BJP’s image as a party of power and privilege.

Political analysts note that such controversies, though seemingly cultural, often have electoral consequences in Bihar, where identity, emotion, and symbolism play major roles. The BJP, while seeking to contain the fallout, has continued to emphasize governance and development issues in its campaign, while also defending its record of promoting cultural icons like Hema Malini and Kangana Ranaut in politics.

Meanwhile, the RJD has doubled down on its portrayal of Khesari Lal Yadav as a “people’s candidate,” someone who embodies the dreams of Bihar’s youth and working class. The party has accused the BJP of trying to demean those who rise from humble backgrounds, arguing that dismissing an artist as a mere “dancer” reflects deep-seated prejudice against self-made individuals from lower and middle strata of society.

With the first phase of polling set for November 6 and the second on November 11, the controversy continues to simmer. As political parties race to capture headlines and public attention, cultural identity and respect for artistic professions have unexpectedly emerged as central themes in this election cycle.

The Election Commission has yet to comment on whether any formal complaints have been lodged over the alleged remarks made by Samrat Chaudhary. However, given the rising tempers and ongoing exchanges between the ruling and opposition alliances, it appears that the “dancer” debate will remain a recurring motif in Bihar’s political theatre until the votes are counted on November 14.

In a state where cinema and politics often intertwine, the episode has revealed deeper tensions over social hierarchy, public respect, and the legitimacy of celebrity politicians. Whether the controversy ultimately helps or harms either side will be decided not on the campaign trail but at the ballot box, where Bihar’s voters will deliver their own verdict on what — and who — truly moves them.