Bihar’s political landscape is abuzz with accusations as RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav labeled Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a ‘putla’ (puppet) and a ‘mukhota’ (mask). Yadav predicted that the BJP would marginalize Kumar if the NDA secures power. In response, Nitish Kumar issued a strong rebuttal, dismissing the opposition’s manifesto as a ‘bundle of lies’ and highlighting his government’s achievements.
Tejashwi Yadav unveiled the Mahagathbandhan’s manifesto, which includes a promise of government jobs for one member per family in Bihar. The plan outlines swift job creation, with appointment letters issued within 20 months. Additional pledges include permanent government jobs and a salary increase to Rs 30,000 for ‘Jeevika Didis,’ making contractual staff permanent, reinstating the Old Pension Scheme, and providing Rs 2,500 monthly to women under the ‘Mai Behan Yojana,’ alongside 200 units of free electricity and increased reservation quotas.
The manifesto release clearly positioned Tejashwi Yadav as the supreme leader of the Mahagathbandhan, with neither Lalu Prasad Yadav nor Rahul Gandhi present. While Yadav aimed to frame the election as a direct contest against Nitish Kumar, he seemed hesitant to engage in a direct confrontation. His ‘puppet’ narrative was quickly countered by Kumar’s prompt response, undermining Yadav’s portrayal of the Chief Minister as being controlled by bureaucrats and the BJP. Despite Yadav’s claims of Nitish Kumar’s declining health, the Chief Minister continues to actively campaign, addressing multiple rallies daily. The central question remains: will Bihar’s voters accept Tejashwi Yadav’s depiction of Nitish Kumar as a mere puppet?