Gopalganj/Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has firmly rejected an offer from RJD supremo Lalu Prasad to rekindle their political alliance. Speaking in Gopalganj on Saturday, Nitish said, “We mistakenly switched sides twice in the past. Now, we are together and will stay together to develop both Bihar and the country.”
The remarks come after Lalu, in an interview on New Year’s Day, extended an olive branch to Nitish, saying, “Our doors are open for Nitish. He should keep his doors open too. If he wants to come along, why not? We will take him in and work together. He always runs away, but we will forgive him.”
The statement prompted a response from Lalu’s son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, who dismissed the idea of a reunion between the JD(U) and the RJD. “It doesn’t make sense to go with Nitish. The RJD supremo’s statement was merely to cool down the media,” Tejashwi said.
Lalu’s daughter and Rajya Sabha MP, Misa Bharti, also downplayed the remarks, saying, “Lalu Yadav and Nitish are old friends. Only they know what they mean when they talk.”
The exchanges unfolded against the backdrop of Bihar’s new Governor, Arif Mohammed Khan, taking the oath of office on January 2 at Raj Bhavan. The event saw CM Nitish and Tejashwi sharing a moment of camaraderie. Nitish, upon entering Rajendra Mandapam, approached Tejashwi, placed a hand on his shoulder, and exchanged smiles and greetings. The gesture, captured on camera, went viral, fuelling the rumours of political realignment in the state.
