Tejashwi Yadav Claims Nitish Kumar Resigning Under Pressure from BJP
Tejashwi Yadav's Allegations Against Nitish Kumar
On Saturday, Tejashwi Yadav accused Nitish Kumar of resigning from the Chief Minister position due to pressure from his own party. He asserted that the BJP has either intimidated or bribed some of Kumar's allies. This statement came just a day after Kumar took his oath as a Rajya Sabha MP, while his belongings were being moved from the Chief Minister's residence to a nearby government bungalow. Speaking to reporters at an RJD event, Yadav remarked that he bets a deal to remove Kumar was struck long ago by some senior JDU leaders, which was kept under wraps to avoid backlash during the assembly elections.
JDU's Transformation and Kumar's Departure
Yadav further stated that the JDU is no longer an independent party; it has become a puppet of the BJP. He claimed that BJP agents have infiltrated the JDU, leading to its downfall. The manner in which Nitish Kumar is being dismissed is quite tragic, he noted, highlighting that a person who has served as Chief Minister for two decades is now being sent to the Rajya Sabha against his will. Yadav also suggested that certain JDU leaders are either influenced by the BJP or are under pressure from central agencies like the ED and CBI.
Concerns Among JDU Workers
While no JDU leader has officially responded, party insiders acknowledged that there are concerns among workers regarding the roles of Sanjay Jha and other close associates of Kumar. During Kumar's visit to the party office in Delhi, many workers insisted that even if they resign, the Chief Minister's position should not be handed over to the BJP.
Future Leadership Speculations
Sources indicated that some view Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, as a capable young leader who could succeed his father, although Kumar himself is unlikely to push for this. It was also suggested that the party should negotiate for a better share of power, especially concerning key positions held by the BJP. Additionally, Yadav accused the BJP of arrogance, citing the immediate nomination of Harivansh Narayan Singh to the Rajya Sabha after JDU's refusal to grant him a second term.