By The Sampadak Express
RJD leader Rabri Devi has ramped up her criticism of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing him of consuming ‘bhaang’ (a traditional cannabis-based drink) before attending the state assembly session. The former chief minister, who is also the wife of RJD supremo Lalu Yadav, further accused Kumar of disrespecting women, including herself, and demanded that he resign from his position immediately.
In a statement that has stoked further controversy, Rabri Devi claimed, “Nitish Kumar consumes ‘bhaang’ and attends the assembly. He disrespects women, including me. He should reflect on the kind of work we did when we were in power.” The remark followed a heated exchange in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, where tensions have been rising between the ruling Janata Dal (United) and the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
Rabri Devi also lashed out at Nitish Kumar for allegedly parroting the opinions of those around him rather than speaking his mind. She accused members of his party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of influencing his statements, calling them an indication of his inability to make independent decisions. “What the people around him say, he speaks the same. His party members and some BJP leaders are asking him to say such things,” she was quoted as saying.
In a show of protest, several RJD MLAs walked out of the assembly, visibly angered by what they called Nitish Kumar’s ‘unbecoming behavior’. The party’s leadership, including Rabri Devi’s son Tejaswi Yadav, joined in calling for the Bihar CM’s resignation.
Tejaswi Yadav, an influential political figure and the deputy chief minister in the current state government, also demanded that Kumar step down. “Nitish Kumar should resign himself,” Yadav stated, adding, “Even before him, my father (Lalu Yadav) became an MP. Nitish Kumar could not have become the CM without us giving the ‘Samarthan Patra’ (support letter).”
Tejaswi further criticized the Bihar CM’s ability to govern, suggesting that his mental state was unstable. “He should go to an ashram because he cannot run the government. What is he doing with the future of 14 crore people? Nitish Kumar’s condition is not stable,” Yadav declared.
The rising tensions stem from an ongoing war of words between Nitish Kumar and the Yadav family. Earlier this month, Nitish Kumar triggered a storm by publicly stating that he was responsible for making Lalu Yadav what he became, a statement that was met with sharp criticism from Tejaswi Yadav. In his response, Tejaswi reminded Kumar that he had saved the JDU twice, implying that the party’s survival was partly due to his influence.
The political battle took another twist on March 7 when Nitish Kumar, addressing the Bihar Assembly, accused the RJD of engaging in dynastic politics. The Chief Minister attacked Lalu Yadav for appointing his wife, Rabri Devi, as the chief minister of Bihar while he was imprisoned in 1997. He remarked, “You (RJD leaders) are from the party where a husband made his wife the CM. You have made women MLAs, but have you done any work for women? How much work have we done for women? Do you people understand that?”
Kumar’s remarks were seen as a direct dig at the RJD’s internal politics, particularly the Yadav family’s hold over the party’s leadership. He also alleged that the RJD had failed to make substantial contributions to the empowerment of women despite having women in prominent political positions.
With the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for later this year, the battle between Nitish Kumar’s JDU and the RJD is expected to heat up in the coming months. The allegations, counter-allegations, and personal attacks reflect the high stakes of the upcoming election, with both parties positioning themselves as champions of governance and leadership.
As the political drama unfolds, all eyes will be on the Bihar CM’s next move and whether the controversy surrounding his remarks will have an impact on his political future. The RJD, led by Lalu Yadav and his family, continues to challenge Nitish Kumar’s leadership, especially over issues of governance, women’s rights, and political influence.
