RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has called on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to use his pivotal position within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to secure special status for Bihar. Yadav’s comments come in the wake of the recent Lok Sabha election results, which left the BJP short of a clear majority, increasing its reliance on coalition partners.
Tejashwi Yadav’s Remarks
Yadav’s remarks were made on Thursday, following the circulation of photographs showing him and Kumar together on a flight to Delhi. Both NDA and INDIA bloc leaders have been meeting in the capital to strategize post-election, with the BJP-led NDA securing 294 seats, surpassing the 272-seat majority mark, while the INDIA Opposition bloc won 234 seats.
“NDA has the numbers, but we want the government to take care of Bihar and ensure it gets special status,” Yadav told ANI. He emphasized that Kumar, if he is indeed a kingmaker, should push for this status and advocate for a caste-based census nationwide. Yadav also noted that Prime Minister Modi’s “magic” had waned, making him more dependent on NDA allies.
The images of Yadav and Kumar, once allies within the INDIA bloc, sparked speculation of a potential reconciliation. In one viral photo, Yadav was seated behind Kumar on the flight, but later images showed them sitting together, smiling. “We greeted each other, and although I was seated behind him, he called me to sit with him,” Yadav explained.
As the political landscape shifts, the roles of TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu and JDU’s Nitish Kumar become crucial. Despite Naidu’s firm support for the NDA, there have been efforts from the INDIA bloc to persuade Kumar to switch allegiances. However, JDU leader KC Tyagi has affirmed the party’s commitment to the BJP alliance.
