Patna:
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday gave a cryptic response to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's “doors open” statement to rejoin the opposition INDIA bloc. When reporters asked him about Mr Yadav's comments, Mr Kumar folded his hands, smiled and replied curtly: '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, in which he said, “Our doors are open to Nitish Kumar. He should also unlock his gates. This would ease the movement of people from both sides .”
#WATCH | Patna: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar responds to a query 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 over the possibility of a new alliance between the two veteran leaders, often referred to as “bada bhai, chhota bhai” (big brother, little brother) in the political circles of Bihar.
Mr Yadav's overture to Mr Kumar follows a history of turbulent alliances. Mr Kumar, leader of the Janata Dal (United), has joined the RJD twice in the past decade, most recently as part of the Mahagathbandhan, before switching sides to rejoin the party in 2024 the BJP-led NDA.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad Yadav and heir apparent in the RJD, played down his father's comments and suggested they were made to “satisfy the curiosity of the media”. Tejashwi Yadav told reporters at the swearing-in ceremony of Bihar's new Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, “What else would he (Lalu Yadav) say? He was just answering your questions.”
However, Tejashwi Yadav added that the new year would witness the end of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government. He further accused Mr Kumar of being 'captured' by a small group of close advisers and no longer able to govern Bihar independently.
Union minister and JD(U) leader Lalan Singh rejected Lalu Yadav's comments. “The NDA is strong. JD(U) and BJP are united. People can say whatever they want – it is a free country,” he said.