The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Friday launched a sharp attack on the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, hours after Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary asserted that the government was functioning under the guidance of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and maintained a zero-tolerance policy on communalism.
Addressing a press conference at the RJD office, state chief spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav alleged that the Janata Dal (United) was uneasy within the alliance. He claimed that the absence of both deputy chief ministers from a recent law and order review meeting reflected their diminished role in the government.
"By not inviting both deputy chief ministers to the law and order review meeting, it was made clear that they are not even worth the waste paper in a dustbin," Yadav said.
He further alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party's growing dominance had sidelined Nitish Kumar in decision-making, with the government being run according to directions from the party's central leadership.
Yadav demanded the release of a white paper on state finances, alleging that Rs 41,000 crore had been spent without accountability and claiming that per capita debt had risen to Rs 27,000. He described the NDA regime as driven by "Chair, Crime and Corruption," with an added push towards communalism. He also alleged governance failures in law and order, education, healthcare, and development, and claimed that crime was being viewed through a caste lens with political patronage.
Hitting back, JD(U) state spokesperson Anjum Ara said RJD leaders were frustrated and spreading misconceptions. "RJD leaders have no idea of what a federal structure means and what democracy stands for. Just to be in the media and grab headlines, they can go to any extent. As far as allegations related to finances are concerned, any investment for any project is done through a proper channel. There is a budget and audit. If they want details, they should take it from the right platform," Ara said.
