"E bechari ko kuch aata hai?"- Nitish Kumar mocks Rabri Devi in Bihar Assembly

A fiery confrontation broke out in the Bihar Legislative Council on Tuesday between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Leader of Opposition Rabri Devi over the issue of reservation. The tension escalated after RJD members entered the house wearing green T-shirts as part of their protest, demanding that Bihar’s 65% reservation policy be included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. Annoyed by the demonstration, Nitish Kumar dismissed it as "bogus" and questioned its relevance.

“All this is bogus. It has no meaning. Have you seen anything like this anywhere in the country?” he said while addressing the assembly. However, the situation took a personal turn when Kumar targeted Rabri Devi, questioning her credentials as a former chief minister. Speaking in Hindi, he remarked, “E bechari ko kuch aata hai? Isko toh aise hi mukhyamantri bana diya” (Does she even know anything? She was just made CM without reason). Referring to her tenure after Lalu Prasad Yadav’s removal in 1997, he further added, “When Lalu was removed, she was made CM. Have you seen anything like this in any other party?”

His remarks triggered an immediate backlash from RJD members, who erupted in protest. Rabri Devi, refusing to remain silent, responded to the attack, leading to a heated exchange between the two leaders. When she attempted to counter him, Kumar dismissed her again, saying, "You stay out of this. The party belongs to your husband, not you." This statement further angered the opposition, with members attempting to overturn furniture inside the assembly hall as a mark of protest.

While addressing journalists outside, Nitish Kumar defended his stance, emphasizing that such protests—particularly wearing T-shirts inside the assembly—were unprecedented. "Have you seen such behaviour anywhere else in the country?" he asked, questioning the opposition’s tactics.

This is not the first time the Bihar chief minister has targeted Rabri Devi over her tenure as CM. On Thursday, Kumar again took a sharp personal dig, saying, "Her husband made her the chief minister when he was placed under suspension." As Rabri Devi attempted to defend her eight-year tenure and highlight her contributions, Nitish dismissed her yet again with a Magahi phrase, "Chhoda na, tohra kuchh maloom hai" (You stay out of this. You know nothing about these matters).

The two leaders have frequently clashed over governance, women’s welfare, and Bihar’s political landscape. While Nitish Kumar has often described Rabri Devi as a “CM of circumstances,” she has accused him of routinely disrespecting women in politics. Following this latest exchange, Rabri Devi and opposition members staged a walkout, further escalating tensions in Bihar’s political scene.