Nitish Kumar Slams Lalu Yadav Over Rabri Devi’s CM Appointment Amid Assembly Uproar
3 min read
Patna: A stormy session unfolded in the Bihar Assembly on Friday as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a scathing attack on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, accusing him of appointing his wife, Rabri Devi, as the Chief Minister when he was jailed in the fodder scam in 1997. The heated exchange came amidst protests by the Opposition over rising cases of violence against women in the state.
Background: A Political Flashpoint Rekindled
The political rivalry between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav has long been a defining element of Bihar’s political landscape. The latest outburst by Kumar revives one of the most debated political events in the state’s history—Rabri Devi’s unexpected ascent to power in 1997. At the time, Lalu Yadav was forced to step down as Chief Minister after being implicated in the multi-crore fodder scam. His decision to install his wife as his successor was widely seen as an attempt to retain control over the government, a move that drew severe criticism from opposition parties.
Assembly in Turmoil as Nitish Hits Out at RJD
During the heated assembly session, Nitish Kumar targeted the RJD over its stance on women’s issues, claiming that the party had failed to work towards women’s empowerment.
“When Rabri Devi’s husband (Lalu Yadav) went to jail, he made his wife the Chief Minister of Bihar. You belong to a party that has done nothing for women,” Kumar stated, addressing the RJD legislators who were protesting against his government’s handling of crimes against women.
Amid the uproar, the Chief Minister attempted to justify his government’s proactive stance on law and order. “Whenever any incident occurs in any district, we immediately speak to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police,” he said, urging the Opposition to allow the Assembly proceedings to continue without disruptions.
Watch the video below:
Patna, Bihar: During the Bihar Legislative Assembly session, in response to RJD leader Urmila Thakur's question, CM Nitish Kumar says, "We have done work for women…You belong to a party that has never done anything for women…" pic.twitter.com/ryJLEXUG3D
— IANS (@ians_india) March 7, 2025
Political Barbs and Power Struggles
This attack on Lalu Yadav is the latest in a series of verbal clashes between Kumar and the RJD leadership. Just days earlier, Kumar had claimed credit for Lalu Yadav’s rise in Bihar’s political arena. “It was me who made your father what he became. Even the people from your caste questioned me for supporting him,” Kumar had remarked, responding to Tejashwi Yadav’s criticism of the current state government.
The ongoing political friction comes in the backdrop of Bihar’s shifting alliances and power dynamics. With Nitish Kumar recently switching back to the NDA, his criticism of Lalu Yadav and the RJD signals a deeper political strategy aimed at consolidating his position ahead of the next electoral battle.
What Lies Ahead?
The sharp exchange between Bihar’s top political figures underscores the deep-seated rivalry between the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance and the RJD-led Opposition. As the state gears up for upcoming elections, the battle lines appear to be firmly drawn, with Nitish Kumar taking every opportunity to weaken his former allies. Meanwhile, the RJD is expected to retaliate with counter-allegations, keeping Bihar’s political landscape as volatile as ever.
With political temperatures rising, the coming months could see more such confrontations, further shaping the narrative for the state’s political future.
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