RJD Launches Scathing Attack on Nitish Kumar Over BJP Leaders' Absence at Oath Ceremony
In a sharp political escalation, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Friday targeted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, asserting that his diminished stature within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was laid bare when top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were conspicuously absent during his Rajya Sabha oath-taking ceremony in Delhi.
"Weak Nitish Kumar" Exposed, Says RJD Spokesperson
RJD spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan pointed to the non-attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP National President J.P. Nadda at the event as a clear signal of a "weak Nitish Kumar" within the ruling coalition. "This was just the trailer. The BJP will now exact revenge for all past decisions of Nitish Kumar, including the dinner invitation he once cancelled," Gagan declared, emphasizing that the RJD is now formulating a fresh strategy to confront the BJP directly.
RJD Shifts Focus Solely to BJP, Dismisses JD(U)
Another RJD spokesperson, Shakti Singh Yadav, reinforced the party's stance, stating that their political battle is now exclusively against the BJP. "The Janata Dal (United) is finished and is nowhere in the race. We have been combating the BJP and its ideology and will persist under the leadership of Tejashwi Prasad Yadav," he asserted. Yadav argued that the people of Bihar feel betrayed by both the BJP and Nitish Kumar and are increasingly turning their hopes toward the RJD. "We are confident of forming the next government under Tejashwi's leadership," he added, projecting optimism about the party's electoral prospects.
JD(U) Fires Back, Defends Alliance and Nitish's Leadership
In a robust rebuttal, the JD(U) dismissed the RJD's allegations as baseless. Party spokesperson Anjum Ara highlighted that several senior NDA leaders were present at the ceremony and noted that Prime Minister Modi had extended greetings to Nitish Kumar on social media platform X. "The RJD has nothing to offer except such shameful and unfounded remarks. The NDA alliance is founded on principles and development, not on petty revenge politics," Ara countered.
She maintained that the JD(U) remains "strong and intact" within the NDA framework and that the Bihar government will continue to prioritize development under Nitish Kumar's stewardship. "Kumar is a symbol of development in Bihar, whereas the RJD is remembered for bringing the tag of jungle raj to the state," Ara concluded, drawing a stark contrast between the two parties' legacies.
The exchange underscores the intensifying political tensions in Bihar, with the RJD seeking to capitalize on perceived cracks in the NDA alliance, while the JD(U) reaffirms its commitment to governance and coalition unity.
