Bihar BJP chief Sanjay Saraogi. File
| Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Patna:

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday offered a cryptic response to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s “doors open” statement to rejoin the opposition INDIA bloc. When questioned by journalists about Mr Yadav’s remarks, Mr Kumar folded his hands, smiled, and curtly responded, “Kya bol rahe hain (What are you saying?)” without elaborating further.

This exchange comes in the wake of Mr Yadav’s statement during an interview, where he said, “Our doors are open for Nitish Kumar. He should also unbolt his gates. This would facilitate movement of people from both sides.”

#WATCH | Patna: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar reacts on being asked about Lalu Prasad Yadav’s statement. pic.twitter.com/6Gxb9iOZgP

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2025

Mr Yadav’s statement has since fueled speculation in Bihar about the possibility of another alliance between the two veteran leaders, often referred to as “bada bhai, chhota bhai” (big brother, little brother) in Bihar’s political circles. 

Mr Yadav’s overture to Mr Kumar follows a history of turbulent alliances. Mr Kumar, leader of the Janata Dal (United), has aligned with the RJD twice in the last decade, most recently as part of the Mahagathbandhan before switching sides to rejoin the BJP-led NDA in 2024. 

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son and heir apparent in the RJD, downplayed his father’s remarks, suggesting they were made to “satisfy the curiosity of the media.” Speaking to journalists at the swearing-in ceremony of  new Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Tejashwi Yadav said, “What else would he (Lalu Yadav) say? He was simply addressing your questions.”

Tejashwi Yadav, however, added that the new year would witness the end of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government. He further accused Mr Kumar of being “captive” to a small group of close advisors and no longer capable of running Bihar independently.

Union Minister and JD(U) leader Lalan Singh dismissed Lalu Yadav’s remarks. “The NDA is strong. JD(U) and BJP are united. People can say whatever they want – it is a free country,” he said. 

Bhagalpur, Bihar:

Political strategist turned activist-politician Prashant Kishor on Friday charged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with having “touched the feet” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure his own continuance in power.

Prashant Kishor, who has been running the ‘Jan Suraaj’ campaign, was addressing a public meeting in Bhagalpur.

“People ask me why I am now criticising Nitish Kumar, having worked with him in the past. He was a different man back then. His conscience had not been put up for sale,” claimed Mr Kishor, who had managed the JD(U) president’s election campaign in 2015 and formally joined the party two years later.

“The leader of a state is the pride of its people. But Nitish Kumar brought shame to Bihar when he touched the feet of PM Modi,” he alleged, referring to the NDA meeting in Delhi last week.

Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) won 12 seats in Lok Sabha polls to emerge as the second largest ally (after TDP) of the BJP which failed to get a majority on its own.

Prashant Kishor claimed, “There is so much talk about Nitish Kumar playing a key role in PM Modi’s return to power. But how is the Bihar CM leveraging his position? He is not using his clout to ensure benefits for the state. He is touching feet to ensure that he remains in power, with BJP support, even after 2025 assembly polls.”

Notably, Mr Kishor had first shot to fame in 2014 for handling the spectacularly successful Lok Sabha poll campaign of PM Modi.

By the time he gave up political consultancy in 2021, Mr Kishor had worked for several high-profile politicians, including Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Jagan Mohan Reddy.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)