In response to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s claim of having “made Lalu Yadav,” Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) asserted that it was he who helped Kumar become Chief Minister twice. Tejashwi pointed to his father’s political achievements prior to Kumar’s involvement and criticized Kumar for suggesting otherwise. Senior RJD leader Manoj Jha supported Tejashwi’s remarks, expressing concern over Kumar’s statements and reminding him of his past affiliation with Lalu Yadav. The longstanding rivalry between Yadav and Kumar, which began in student politics in 1974, has seen various political alliances and conflicts over the years.
Patna:
Following Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s assertion that he “made Lalu Yadav”, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) responded fiercely. Tejashwi Yadav, Mr. Yadav’s son, proclaimed that he was responsible for making Mr. Kumar Chief Minister “twice”, while senior RJD figure Manoj Jha criticized him, stating, “You were known as Lalu’s man”.
Tejashwi Yadav emphasized that he played a significant role in elevating Mr. Kumar to the Chief Minister’s office on two occasions, thereby ensuring his party’s survival.
“Yesterday, Nitish Kumar asserted in the Assembly that he made Lalu Yadav Chief Minister. Let’s not dwell on what Nitish Kumar claims… However, he should recall that prior to his time, my father had already been elected as an MLA twice and once as an MP. Forget Lalu Yadav; Lalu Ji has brought several Prime Ministers into power. I was the one who made him (Nitish Kumar) CM on two occasions and helped save his party,” he stated at a rally in Patna.
The RJD emerged as the largest party with 80 seats in 2015 when the Mahagathbandhan, or Grand Alliance, was established. Nitish Kumar’s JD (U) secured 71 seats, but the RJD permitted Mr. Kumar to retain the Chief Minister’s position despite the lesser number of seats.
In 2022, more than four years after abandoning the Mahagathbandhan, Mr. Kumar severed ties with the BJP for the second time, fearing that his party would fracture if he maintained the alliance. He returned to the Mahagathbandhan, where he was again allowed to keep the top position. This alliance endured for over a year, and in January 2024, Mr. Kumar reunited with the BJP. Throughout this period, Tejashwi Yadav served as his deputy.
“I am genuinely concerned about Nitish Kumar now,” Manoj Jha remarked. “It is unfortunate that he is expressing himself in such a manner. You were part of Lalu ji’s team; you were identified as Lalu ji’s man”.
“Yesterday, Tejashwi Yadav, without any animosity, provided a historical perspective, addressed current challenges, and outlined the future; he elucidated everything logically… Yet you (Nitish Kumar) did not respond… You see yourself as the creator of the universe, as Brahma. If such thoughts are occupying your mind these days, it intensifies my concern for you,” he added.
On Tuesday, in his address to the Bihar assembly, Mr. Kumar claimed he played a “critical role” in shaping Lalu Prasad Yadav’s political journey as the two-time Chief Minister of Bihar.
“Even the people from Lalu Yadav’s community (Yadav) had declined to elect him as Chief Minister, but I stood by him. I made your father (Lalu Yadav) CM,” Nitish Kumar proclaimed.
He also asserted that he was instrumental in making Lalu Yadav the Chief Minister in 1990, during a contest between Lalu and Ram Sundar Das for leadership.
The political rivalry between Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar – who began their political journey as student leaders in 1974 amidst the agitation led by Jayaprakash Narayan – is legendary in the history of Bihar politics.
When Janata Dal won the Bihar elections in 1990, Nitish Kumar was part of the core team. However, four years later, he revolted against Lalu Prasad, left the party, and established the Samata Party with George Fernandes. Since then, they have been adversaries, with a brief truce during the Mahagathbandhan period.