nitish-responds-to-lalu-s-doors-open-with-mistake

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has dismissed the possibility of rejoining forces with Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), despite Lalu Yadav’s recent comment that his "doors are open." 

Nitish Kumar made it clear that he has no plans to return to the Grand Alliance, which he once left due to ideological and political differences.

"I had by mistake ('galti se') aligned with them a couple of times," Nitish Kumar said to reporters, referring to his past alliance with the RJD. 

 

He also criticised the RJD's governance record, saying, "Those who were in power before us... did they do anything? People used to fear stepping out of their homes after sunset."

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar | On RJD chief Lalu Yadav's statement, National President of RLM Upendra Kushwaha says, "Lalu ji has grown old, sometimes when he might remember old things, he says some things. His words have no political meaning to comment on it...Nitish Kumar has made it… pic.twitter.com/aPCSc9y9Vo

— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2025

Nitish Kumar also highlighted his government’s initiatives for women’s empowerment. "What was the condition of women back then? Today, you can see these self-help groups, which we named Jivika. The Centre later replicated our model and called it Ajivika. Did you see such confident rural women earlier?" he added.

Lalu Yadav’s comment about keeping the “doors open” came shortly after Union Home Minister Amit Shah suggested that Nitish Kumar could be the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.

 

Bihar BJP leaders have also indicated that Kumar will lead the NDA in the election campaign.

Nitish Kumar had previously exited the Grand Alliance, which included the RJD, and joined the BJP-led NDA. This shift was seen as a major political realignment in Bihar.

Lalu Yadav’s son, Tejashwi Yadav, had earlier ruled out any future collaboration with Nitish Kumar, saying, "Our door is closed for Nitish Kumar forever. We do not need him. The people of Bihar trust me, and this time we will form the government on our own."

Nitish Kumar made his remarks while in Muzaffarpur, where he laid the foundation stone for a Rs 450-crore development project. His comments come at a time when political alliances and strategies in Bihar are under intense scrutiny ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

 

Also Read: Lalu's 'doors open for Nitish' remark sparks row