Tejashwi Yadav Alleges Nitish Kumar Forced to Step Down as Bihar Chief Minister
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday made explosive claims that Nitish Kumar was compelled to resign as Bihar Chief Minister under intense "pressure" from within his own Janata Dal (United) party. Yadav asserted that some JD(U) colleagues had been either "intimidated or allured" by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading to Kumar's departure from the top post.
Political Deal Struck Long Before Assembly Polls
The remarks came just one day after Nitish Kumar was sworn in as a Rajya Sabha MP, with his belongings being moved from the Chief Minister's official residence to a nearby government bungalow. Speaking to reporters at an RJD event, Yadav declared, "I wager that the deal for removing Nitish Kumar had been struck by some bigwigs in the JD(U) long back. It had not been made public because it would have backfired during the assembly polls."
Yadav dismissed suggestions that Kumar stepped down voluntarily due to health concerns, stating, "It is rubbish to say that Nitish Kumar, who does not enjoy sound physical and mental health, was stepping down out of his own wish." He pointed to recent incidents in Delhi as evidence, noting how JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha prevented Kumar from interacting with media, which Yadav interpreted as proof of the veteran leader enduring significant insult and pressure.
Allegations of BJP Influence and Agency Pressure
The RJD leader further claimed that certain JD(U) leaders orchestrating these developments were either influenced by the BJP or facing pressure from central investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). While no JD(U) leader issued an official response, party sources acknowledged widespread misgivings among cadres regarding the roles of Sanjay Jha and other close aides of Kumar.
According to these sources, during Kumar's visit to the party office in Delhi, numerous workers insisted that even if he stepped down, the chief minister's position should not be handed over to the BJP. They emphasized that the party should at least negotiate for a better power-sharing arrangement, including key posts currently controlled by the BJP.
Internal Party Dynamics and Succession Speculation
The sources also revealed that Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, is viewed by some within the JD(U) as a capable young leader who could potentially succeed his father. However, they noted that Kumar himself is unlikely to push for such a succession plan. Additionally, party members accused the BJP of acting with "swagger," particularly citing the swift nomination of Harivansh Narayan Singh to the Rajya Sabha immediately after JD(U) denied him another term.
BJP leaders in Bihar maintained a cautious silence, especially following the abrupt cancellation of a scheduled National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting in Delhi. State BJP president Dilip Jaiswal offered a measured response, stating, "All things will be sorted out amicably among the NDA partners in due course."
The political landscape in Bihar remains tense as these allegations surface, with Tejashwi Yadav's claims highlighting deep-seated tensions within the ruling coalition and raising questions about the true circumstances behind Nitish Kumar's resignation. The developments underscore the complex interplay of internal party politics, alliance dynamics, and external pressures shaping Bihar's governance.
