Tejashwi Yadav Takes Aim at NDA Over Nitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha Move
Patna witnessed a fresh political storm on Friday as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha in Delhi. While the development had been anticipated for some time, it has triggered a wave of speculation across political circles regarding the timing of his departure from the chief minister’s post and who might succeed him. Adding fuel to the fire, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), questioning the circumstances surrounding Kumar’s shift to the upper house of Parliament.
A Decision Made Under Duress?
Tejashwi Yadav, speaking to the media, asserted that the move to send Nitish Kumar to the Rajya Sabha was not a voluntary one. He claimed that the veteran leader was compelled to accept the new role under significant pressure from his alliance partners. Yadav argued that if Kumar had genuinely desired to transition to national politics, he would have expressed this intention well before the recent state elections. The sudden change of heart, coming immediately after taking the oath as chief minister, appears suspicious and suggests external forces at play, he added.
Allegations of Broken Promises and Hidden Agendas
The RJD leader did not hold back in criticizing the NDA, accusing the alliance of reneging on its public commitments. He pointed out that during the election campaign, NDA leaders had repeatedly assured voters that Nitish Kumar would remain the chief minister until at least 2025. Given this backdrop, Yadav questioned why such a significant political reshuffle is being orchestrated now. He described the decision as one that has been imposed on Kumar rather than being his own choice, and demanded to know what compelling reasons are forcing this change despite the mandate received from the people.
In a sharp retort aimed directly at the chief minister, Tejashwi Yadav remarked that Kumar has only taken an oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha, not as the Prime Minister. The comment was seen as a sarcastic jibe at the perceived ambitions of the NDA leadership and their attempts to project the move as a significant political achievement.
Government Under Fire Over Gas Shortage Crisis
Beyond the political transition, Tejashwi Yadav also targeted the state government over its handling of the ongoing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortage. He highlighted the severe difficulties faced by ordinary citizens due to the supply crunch. Yadav warned that the scarcity of cooking gas is forcing a large number of migrant workers who had been employed in other states to return to Bihar. He criticized the state administration for failing to make any arrangements for these returning workers and for not even initiating a discussion on the matter.
Expressing his strong displeasure, the opposition leader accused the ruling dispensation of being indifferent to the plight of the people. He alleged that their only focus is on retaining power at any cost, while the state’s development and the welfare of its citizens are being neglected. He went a step further, accusing the government of working to defame and ruin Bihar rather than engaging in constructive governance.
Questioning the Mandate for the Next Chief Minister
Concluding his remarks, Tejashwi Yadav raised a pertinent question about the democratic process. He asked whether the person who is being considered for the chief minister’s post has any mandate from the public. His statement underscores the growing uncertainty and political fluidity in Bihar as the NDA navigates this leadership transition, leaving the state’s political future hanging in the balance. The coming days are likely to see more clarity, but for now, the opposition has successfully put the ruling alliance on the defensive.
