Tejashwi alleges BJP forced Nitish Kumar out, questions stability in Bihar

Leader of the opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Friday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party had politically sidelined Nitish Kumar, claiming the party “sought to finish him off” despite earlier assurances of his leadership in the NDA. He made the remarks in the Bihar Legislative Assembly during a debate on the vote of confidence moved by the government led by Samrat Choudhary.

Addressing the House, Yadav said the BJP had long projected Nitish Kumar as the alliance’s leader till 2030 but ultimately removed him from the chief minister’s position. He argued that the development reflected political instability in the state, noting that Bihar had witnessed five different governments over the past five years due to shifting alliances.

Taking aim at the new leadership, Yadav referred to Samrat Choudhary’s political background and links to the Rashtriya Janata Dal. He remarked that while Choudhary had risen in politics under the influence of RJD leadership, he should remain cautious of internal dynamics within the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which he alleged could pose challenges to his position.

Yadav also made a pointed reference to past political remarks associated with Choudhary’s family, suggesting that earlier statements by his father had unsettled the BJP leadership. He alleged that the party’s decision to elevate Choudhary was influenced by internal political calculations aimed at maintaining balance within the alliance.

In addition to his political criticism, Yadav raised the issue of women’s reservation, stating that any implementation of quotas in legislatures must ensure adequate representation for women from deprived and marginalised communities. His remarks came amid ongoing debates on political representation and governance in the state.