The Bihar Legislative Council once again transformed into a political battlefield as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Leader of the Opposition Rabri Devi locked horns in an explosive verbal duel, reviving their long-standing and increasingly personal rivalry. The latest clash erupted when RJD MLCs entered the House sporting green badges — the signature color of their party — and chanted slogans crediting the so-called “Tejashwi government” for increasing caste-based reservations in 2023. They accused Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) of hijacking the initiative after he reunited with the BJP-led NDA, branding him a political opportunist who abandoned the Mahagathbandhan for personal gains.
Rabri Devi, known for her sharp tongue, rose to counter the claims made by Nitish Kumar’s party. However, before she could finish, Kumar interrupted with a dismissive retort in sharp Bihari slang, saying, “Arrey baitho na tum, tera kaun cheez hai, tera husband ka hai, tera kaun cheez hai?” (Sit down, you. This is your husband’s party, not yours — who even are you?). His words cut deep, suggesting that Rabri Devi held no political weight of her own, framing her as a mere proxy for her husband, Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Kumar doubled down on his attack, referring to Rabri Devi as “bechari” (a poor, pitiable woman), claiming she was “propped up” as Chief Minister by Lalu Prasad when he was ensnared in the fodder scam. He implied that her rise to power was neither earned nor deserved but merely a desperate political maneuver by Lalu to retain control over the state despite his legal troubles.
Rabri Devi’s political journey is well-known — she became Chief Minister in 1997 under extraordinary circumstances after Lalu was forced to step down due to corruption charges. Back then, she was criticized as a “rubber-stamp CM” with her husband allegedly calling the shots from behind the scenes. Nitish’s comments seemed to deliberately reopen those old wounds, reigniting the narrative that Rabri was never more than a placeholder.
This latest face-off is only the most recent episode in a long, bitter history between the two leaders. Earlier this month, Rabri Devi had fired a personal shot at Nitish Kumar, accusing him of coming to the Assembly under the influence of bhaang (a cannabis-based intoxicant) and alleging that he regularly disrespects women lawmakers. “Nitish Kumar consumes bhaang and comes to the Assembly. He disrespects women, including me,” she declared, drawing sharp reactions from JD(U) leaders who dismissed her remarks as slanderous and politically motivated.
The tension between the two escalated further when a video surfaced last week showing Nitish Kumar laughing and chatting during the National Anthem at a sports event in Patna. The clip went viral, triggering outrage. Rabri Devi seized the moment, calling him “mental” and accusing him of being “mentally unfit” to govern Bihar. The JD(U) hit back, calling the backlash nothing more than an orchestrated attack by the RJD to undermine Kumar’s leadership.
Nitish Kumar, who has long positioned himself as a seasoned administrator and a leader of moral integrity, now finds himself under increasing fire — not just from the RJD but also from within his own alliance. Many speculate that his return to the NDA, after initially breaking away to join hands with Tejashwi Yadav and the RJD, has weakened his moral high ground. Rabri Devi’s taunts about his “political flip-flopping” have only added fuel to that perception.
This ongoing feud has turned intensely personal, with both sides hurling accusations that go far beyond policy disputes. For Rabri Devi, the fight is not only about defending her party’s legacy but also about safeguarding the political future of her son, Tejashwi Yadav, who is being groomed as the RJD’s next-generation leader. Nitish Kumar, on the other hand, seems determined to reclaim his image as Bihar’s unwavering “Sushasan Babu” (Mr. Good Governance), despite the growing perception of him being a political turncoat.
With Bihar inching closer to a high-stakes election, this war of words has transcended traditional politics — it has morphed into a personal battle for legitimacy, legacy, and political survival. Both leaders are seasoned veterans in Bihar’s volatile political landscape, and neither appears ready to back down. The council, once meant for governance and policy debate, now mirrors the broader battle for Bihar’s future, with Nitish and Rabri locked in an increasingly hostile showdown that shows no sign of cooling down.
