Nitish Kumar Takes Stinging Swipe At RJD During Rally

Nitish Kumar’s Stinging Swipe at Lalu Prasad Yadav. The Bihar Chief Minister aggressively defended his governance record on development and inclusion, while attacking RJD’s dynastic politics and past tenure.

October 17, 2025: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the leading figure of the state’s ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has officially kicked off his election campaign, focusing on a dual narrative of development fueled by strong central partnership and a sharp critique of the opposition RJD’s past governance.

Addressing his first major election rally since the poll schedule announcement, Kumar strategically leveraged his alliance with the central government. “Centre has given big support to us…PM Modi has helped Bihar a lot… We have got so many schemes,” the Chief Minister stated emphatically. This highlights the NDA’s strategy to showcase tangible progress through numerous central and state-backed schemes, particularly in infrastructure and welfare, underpinned by central financial assistance.

Inclusivity and Welfare Schemes for Women

Kumar aggressively defended his two-decade-long governance record on social inclusion, stating, “I did development of all groups—be it Hindus, Muslims, backwards.”

Specifically, the Chief Minister highlighted his administration’s efforts for minority welfare, noting, “I did a lot for Muslims…madrasas were given recognition.” His government’s achievements cited often include providing government recognition and equivalent salaries to madrasa teachers, increasing financial assistance for abandoned Muslim women from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000, and fencing of graveyards to prevent communal disputes.

Women’s empowerment remains a core pillar of Kumar’s political appeal. His government is credited with groundbreaking measures such as 50% reservation for women in local body elections and key schemes like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana.

Attack on RJD: ‘Jungle Raj’ and Dynastic Politics

The Chief Minister simultaneously launched a scathing attack on his primary opponent, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its leader, Lalu Prasad Yadav. Taking a dig at the RJD’s past tenure, which political opponents frequently label as “Jungle Raj,” Kumar questioned their record on women’s welfare.

“Have these people (RJD) done any work for women? He (Lalu) only did something for his wife,” Kumar said. This comment is a direct reference to Lalu Prasad Yadav installing his wife, Rabri Devi, as Chief Minister in 1997 following his implication in the fodder scam, an action Kumar consistently frames as dynastic politics rather than genuine social upliftment.

Kumar concluded his address by urging voters not to fall for the opposition’s “trap,” contrasting the past “atmosphere of fear in the state before 2005” with the current “kanoon ka raaj” (rule of law), which he claims is supported by the Centre.

The Bihar assembly elections will be held in two phases: the first phase on November 6 and the second on November 11. Counting of votes is scheduled for November 14. Nominations for the first phase concluded today, Friday.