Nitish Kumar Criticizes RJD Alliance: "Joined Due to Circumstances" While Highlighting Women's Empowerment Initiatives in Bihar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has openly criticized Lalu Prasad for neglecting women's welfare during his tenure and only appointing his wife Rabri Devi to power when faced with legal troubles from the fodder scam.

During his first election rally in Minapur constituency of Muzaffarpur district, the JD(U) president, who is campaigning for an unprecedented fifth consecutive term, expressed his disillusionment with the RJD after two brief alliances and affirmed his commitment to remain with the NDA coalition.

Kumar highlighted his administration's focus on women's empowerment through extensive self-help groups and the recently initiated Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana, which has provided Rs 10,000 to over one crore female beneficiaries. He drew a stark comparison with the previous administration's record on women's issues.

"The previous leadership showed complete disregard for women's welfare. Only when circumstances forced a resignation after seven years as chief minister did they install the wife in power," Kumar stated, making an indirect reference to his political opponents.

Lalu Prasad, who served as Bihar's chief minister from 1990 to 1997, appointed his wife Rabri Devi—previously a homemaker with no known political experience—to the chief minister position, a decision that sparked significant controversy at that time.

Kumar, who defeated the RJD in 2005 through his alliance with BJP, reflected on his previous coalitions with Lalu Prasad's party in 2015 and again in 2022, both lasting less than two years. During these periods, Prasad's son and apparent successor Tejashwi Yadav, currently the opposition leader and main challenger to the NDA, served as deputy chief minister.

"Circumstances compelled me to partner with those individuals, but I quickly realized they were ineffective. Now I have returned to the NDA permanently," Kumar declared. He elaborated on his government's achievements in improving infrastructure, education, and healthcare throughout Bihar, while acknowledging the valuable support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's central government.

The Chief Minister also emphasized the transformation in Bihar's law and order situation under his leadership, noting that before his administration, the state suffered from "an atmosphere of terror" due to poor security and alleged protection of criminals by those in power.

"The improvements are evident to everyone. Even conflicts between Hindu and Muslim communities have decreased because we have been attentive to needs such as securing religious sites for both faiths," Kumar concluded.