Patna:
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday supplied a cryptic response to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s “doorways open” assertion to rejoin the opposition INDIA bloc. When questioned by journalists about Mr Yadav’s remarks, Mr Kumar folded his palms, smiled, and curtly responded, “Kya bol rahe hain (What are you saying?)” with out elaborating additional.
This trade comes within the wake of Mr Yadav’s assertion throughout an interview, the place he mentioned, “Our doorways are open for Nitish Kumar. He also needs to unbolt his gates. This could facilitate motion of individuals from each side.”
#WATCH | Patna: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar reacts on being requested about Lalu Prasad Yadav’s assertion. pic.twitter.com/6Gxb9iOZgP
— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2025
Mr Yadav’s assertion has since fueled hypothesis in Bihar about the opportunity of one other alliance between the 2 veteran leaders, sometimes called “bada bhai, chhota bhai” (large brother, little brother) in Bihar’s political circles.
Mr Yadav’s overture to Mr Kumar follows a historical past of turbulent alliances. Mr Kumar, chief of the Janata Dal (United), has aligned with the RJD twice within the final decade, most just lately as a part of the Mahagathbandhan earlier than switching sides to rejoin the BJP-led NDA in 2024.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son and inheritor obvious within the RJD, downplayed his father’s remarks, suggesting they had been made to “fulfill the curiosity of the media.” Chatting with journalists on the swearing-in ceremony of new Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Tejashwi Yadav mentioned, “What else would he (Lalu Yadav) say? He was merely addressing your questions.”
Tejashwi Yadav, nevertheless, added that the brand new yr would witness the tip of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA authorities. He additional accused Mr Kumar of being “captive” to a small group of shut advisors and now not able to operating Bihar independently.
Union Minister and JD(U) chief Lalan Singh dismissed Lalu Yadav’s remarks. “The NDA is robust. JD(U) and BJP are united. Folks can say no matter they need – it’s a free nation,” he mentioned.