Patna: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday alleged a growing rift within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), claiming that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been “completely sidelined” by the BJP. Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Kharge said, “Prime Minister Modi held a roadshow in Patna on Sunday — but where was Nitish Kumar? He was not seen there, nor at the rally. The Prime Minister didn’t even mention his name as the prospective Chief Minister. A conspiracy is brewing within the NDA.”
Kharge accused the BJP of treating Nitish Kumar as “dispensable” and suggested internal tensions could soon erupt. “Who knows who will show their power at any time,” he remarked.
“मोदी का चेला बनेगा CM”
नीतीश के संग होगा गेम !
: श्री @kharge जी pic.twitter.com/XhXD0bRaWU
— Bihar Congress (@INCBihar) November 3, 2025
The Congress president also criticised the NDA’s promise of direct cash transfers to women, calling it an election gimmick. “By depositing Rs 10,000 into women’s accounts, they think they can buy votes. Even if they deposit Rs 10 lakh, women will still vote thoughtfully,” he said.
Taking aim at both PM Modi and Nitish Kumar, Kharge added, “This idea of giving Rs 10,000 to women has suddenly occurred to Nitish Kumar after 20 years, and to Modi after 11 years. These are all election-time promises.”
Kharge went on to brand Modi “the leader of liars,” accusing him of betraying jobless youth and farmers. “Today, five million posts are vacant across the country. People will not be fooled again — they know who to vote for,” he said.
Later, addressing a rally in Vaishali, Kharge ridiculed the Prime Minister’s campaigning style. “Modi ji is roaming around Bihar as if his son or daughter is getting married,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
He accused the BJP of abandoning its promises to Bihar’s youth. “They spoke of providing 19 lakh jobs and tap water to every home, yet Bihar’s young people continue to migrate to Delhi and Punjab for work,” he said.
Kharge pledged that a Congress-led alliance would focus on building a migration-free Bihar and “restore the state to its former glory.”
