NEW DELHI: As Bihar’s assembly elections draw closer, the battle for the state is shaping up to be a high-stakes affair. After Lalu Yadav’s invitation to Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav on Sunday extended an invitation to Nitish’s son, Nishant Kumar.
Nishant Kumar who is reportedly set to make his electoral debut in the elections scheduled for November, recently, urged voters to re-elect his father, asserting that the JD(U) chief was “100 per cent fit” to lead the state.
Tej Pratap Yadav has now extended an open invitation to Nishant Kumar to join the RJD. “Nishant Kumar should join RJD,” Tej Pratap said, without elaborating on whether he was serious or simply attempting to provoke a reaction from the JD(U) leadership.
Speculation over Nishant Kumar’s potential political entry has been rife, though neither he nor his father have confirmed any such move. If he were to step into politics, it could significantly alter the JD(U)’s internal dynamics, particularly as Nitish Kumar faces mounting pressure from BJP allies.
The chief minister, once a formidable leader in his own right, now finds himself in a precarious position, with BJP figures openly discussing their “mission” to establish their own government in Bihar, TOI had earlier reported.
The RJD, meanwhile, is rallying support with populist promises ahead of the elections. Tejashwi Yadav has pledged direct cash benefits for women and the elderly, free electricity, and job creation to curb migration. However, internal disagreements within the opposition bloc remain unresolved, with the Congress demanding a larger share of seats and Lalu Prasad Yadav’s support for West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to lead the INDIA bloc.
Currently, the the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) holds 138 seats, with the BJP leading at 84 seats and JDU at 48. The opposition is led by the Mahagathbandhan (MGB), with 104 seats, where the RJD holds the majority at 72, followed by the Congress (INC) with 17, and smaller allies like CPI(ML) with 11.