Patna (Bihar) [India], October 23 (ANI): As Mahagathbandhan announced RJD's Tejashwi Yadav as Chief Minister candidate, BJP National Spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam on Thursday said that in Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's eyes, Yadav is not fit to be a CM.

Speaking with ANI, Zafar Islam said, 'Rahul Gandhi wanted Tariq Anwar to be the CM face. So, he was not taking Tejashwi Yadav's name. In Rahul Gandhi's eyes, Tejashwi Yadav is not fit for it. He also feels that he failed class 9, so what sort of CM would he be? So, he was showing reluctance in taking his name.'

'Today's announcement could have been done by Rahul Gandhi and Ashok Gehlot was not needed...They are making false promises and in reality, they are going even farther away from people in an attempt to lure them,' he added.

Earlier today, Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot declared Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the assembly elections in Bihar, scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11.

'Everyone should be worried (about the situation in the country). This is why I can say that after consulting Kharge ji, Rahul ji, and others who are sitting here, that Tejashwi Yadav is the CM candidate for this election. He is a young person. He has a long future and the public will support him,' Gehlot said while addressing a press conference here.

Gehlot, named as Senior Election Observer by the AICC, said that people of Bihar want change as they struggle with multiple issues, including unemployment. He said that the way the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the centre was operating was a 'threat to democracy'.

'It is obvious to get worried about the condition of the country and the state. The situation is serious. The way the NDA government operates is a threat to democracy. There is polarisation. Nobody knows in which direction the country is heading. If you criticise, you are sent to jail - it doesn't matter if you are a journalist or activist. It is our responsibility to keep in mind what the country wants. The country is watching Bihar. The issue of unemployment remains. People want change,' he added.

Mukesh Sahani, who heads the Vikasheel Insaan Pary, has been named as the Deputy CM nominee from the Mahagathbandhan.

The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)