Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took a direct aim at Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former deputy Tejashwi Yadav during a fiery debate in the assembly, invoking the name of Yadav’s father, former chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. The heated exchange unfolded on Tuesday, with Kumar boldly asserting, “What was there in Bihar before? It was I who made your father what he became. Even the people from your caste were asking me why I was doing this, but I still supported him,” in response to Yadav’s interruptions, as per reports by NDTV.
The Budget Clash and Political Dynamics
The clash between Kumar and Yadav comes on the heels of criticism from the RJD leader regarding the budget proposed by the Nitish Kumar government. On March 3, the Bihar government presented an estimated budget of ₹3,16,895.02 crore in the Assembly for the fiscal year 2025-26. This budget allocation represents a substantial increase of ₹38,169.30 crore compared to the previous budget of ₹2,78,725.72 crore. Notably, this marked the final budget of the current Nitish Kumar administration as Bihar gears up for impending assembly elections later this year.
The verbal sparring unfolded amidst a backdrop of opposition uproar within the assembly. Nitish Kumar took the opportunity to assert his stance, stating, “You don’t know anything. When Lalu Yadav was opposing the separation of Extremely Backward Classes and Backward Classes in Bihar, I said it was wrong, and I opposed him at that time.” This exchange sheds light on the complex political dynamics at play in Bihar.
Political Alliances and Historical Context
Nitish Kumar’s political journey has been marked by strategic shifts in alliances and rivalries. Notably, he parted ways with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2013, only to reunite four years later. Kumar also had a stint sharing power with the RJD between 2015 and 2017, and later aligned with the RJD-helmed Mahagathbandhan, with Tejashwi as his deputy chief minister in 2022, before returning to the NDA fold the following year.
The roots of the rivalry between Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar can be traced back to the emergence of both leaders on India’s political landscape around five decades ago during the socialist movement spearheaded by Jayaprakash Narayan. Since then, they have oscillated between being allies and adversaries in the complex political landscape of Bihar.
In an earlier address to the assembly, Tejashwi Yadav drew comparisons between his father’s tenure as chief minister and the current administration led by Nitish Kumar, delivering scathing criticism of his former ally. The intense exchange of words underscores the deep-seated political divisions and historical animosities that continue to shape Bihar’s political narrative.
The interplay of personal histories, political allegiances, and ideological clashes underscores the intricate tapestry of Bihar’s political landscape. The verbal showdown between Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav serves as a microcosm of the larger political dynamics at play in the state, reflecting the enduring rivalries and shifting alliances that define the region’s political discourse. The echoes of past conflicts and the specter of upcoming elections loom large, as Bihar navigates the complex terrain of governance, power dynamics, and historical legacies.
