Patna: RJD MLA Bhai Virendra has rocked the party again with a statement that has raised eyebrows among party leaders. Subsequently, his remarks regarding Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s absence from Delhi Chief Minister Renu Gupta’s oath-taking ceremony have sparked speculation about Kumar’s intentions.
Bhai Virendra said that if Nitish Kumar was so interested in joining the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) again, which he did not attend the event for, then he should have attended the event. Yet this statement strikes at total dissonance with what RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav thinks, who has outrightly flaunted an alliance with Kumar.
This contradiction within RJD reflects the widening chink in Nitish Kumar’s politics in Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav is trying to distance himself from the Bihar CM as Bhai Virendra’s remarks indicate some factions in the party are still open to taking him back into the alliance. This could complicate matters for RJD internally in the days to come.
Nitish Kumar, the Indispensable: Bihar Politics
Nitish Kumar has also been a major player in Bihar politics for nearly two decades. His reach is such that neither the RJD nor the BJP can simply brush aside his influence. No matter his politics, his every move is newsworthy. Even though JD(U) does not have much strength on its own, analysts believe Kumar strengthens any coalition he is a part of. Alliances he has formed have weighed the balance in the political landscape of Bihar.
Previous Contradictory Statements Within RJD
Bhai Virendra had also made similar statements earlier about Kumar’s return to Mahagathbandhan. He also reiterated his saying that “politics is not a permanent friend or enemy” in case Nitish Kumar wants to come back; then he will have to be welcomed. This echoes RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s remarks in January, when he had said that Kumar’s change of heart would be forgiven in case he decided to come back to the alliance.
But the official arm of the party, as expressed by Tejashwi Yadav, is standing its ground against Kumar’s return. We will have to wait and see if RJD will distance itself from Bhai Virendra’s comments or change its stance on Nitish Kumar.
Political Analysts Weigh In
Senior journalist Arun Kumar Pandey asserts that we should not take Bhai Virendra’s statement seriously, as he consistently makes similar claims. He said insider RJD knows with certainty that ultimate decision-making authority in RJD lies with Tejashwi Yadav only as per the authorisation of Lalu Prasad Yadav. Tejashwi has already ruled out a tie-up with Nitish Kumar, and Bhai Virendra will not impact the official party position.
Pandey also suggested that Bhai Virendra’s remarks could be strategically aimed at reminding the public of Nitish Kumar’s history of abandoning various alliances, a move that could benefit the NDA and damage Nitish Kumar’s political reputation. So, to a certain extent, by making these statements, Virendra is actually playing according to Tejashwi Yadav’s larger plan. Therefore, even though Bhai Virendra appears to be deviating from the party line, he is unlikely to face any problems in the RJD.
The Road Ahead
The NDA’s fraying at the hint of Bihar’s subaltern politicisation is reflected in the opposing voices within RJD, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the relevance of individuals such as Nitish Kumar in Bihar’s future politics. It remains to be seen if RJD will make a formal review of its stand or continue to defend Tejashwi Yadav’s decision. However, it is certain that Nitish Kumar’s tenure in the state will continue.