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The political landscape of Bihar is currently abuzz with speculation following RJD chief Lalu Prasad's unexpected invitation to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to rejoin the Grand Alliance. This offer, made after a year of silence following Nitish Kumar's departure from the coalition, has injected a significant dose of unpredictability into the upcoming state assembly elections. Lalu Prasad's statement, made during an interview with a private news channel, expressed his willingness to ‘forgive and welcome’ Nitish Kumar, emphasizing his duty to forgive past transgressions and appealing for collaboration. The timing of this offer is particularly intriguing, coinciding with reported tensions between the two key NDA allies, the JD(U) and the BJP, regarding leadership post the 2025 elections. This suggests a potential strategic move by Lalu Prasad to exploit existing fissures within the ruling coalition.
However, the invitation has been met with mixed reactions within the RJD itself. Lalu Prasad's son and Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, had just days prior explicitly ruled out any alliance with the JD(U), stating that the RJD's doors were firmly closed to Nitish Kumar. This stark contrast in statements from the father and son has raised questions about internal party dynamics and the strategic intent behind Lalu Prasad's surprising overture. Tejashwi's subsequent response, downplaying his father's statement, only served to amplify the confusion and speculation surrounding the RJD's actual position. Nitish Kumar himself responded cryptically to the invitation, offering only a brief 'Namaste', thereby maintaining ambiguity and adding another layer to the ongoing political drama.
The BJP and JD(U) have responded negatively to Lalu Prasad's offer. Union minister and former JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh expressed outright rejection, emphasizing the party's unwavering commitment to the NDA. Similarly, BJP's deputy CM Samrat Choudhary dismissed the offer, suggesting it stemmed from the RJD's fear of defeat in the upcoming elections. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis added his voice to the chorus of skepticism, metaphorically labeling Lalu Prasad's hopes as mere ‘dreams’. These strong rejections from the ruling alliance underscore the low probability of Nitish Kumar accepting Lalu Prasad's invitation and highlight the deeply entrenched political divisions within Bihar. The contrasting responses from different factions only serve to heighten the existing political tensions and intensify the anticipation surrounding the upcoming elections.
Further fueling the speculation is a photograph that went viral, depicting Nitish Kumar patting Tejashwi Yadav on the shoulder at the Raj Bhavan. This seemingly innocuous gesture has been interpreted by many as a potential signal of a softening stance or perhaps even an underlying negotiation taking place behind the scenes. The image, though not conclusive evidence, has added to the swirling rumours and the already complex political dynamics of Bihar. The ambiguity surrounding the actions and statements of the key players involved, coupled with the strategic timing of Lalu Prasad's overture, suggests that the political game in Bihar is far from over and that much more is yet to unfold as the state hurtles towards the upcoming elections. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this invitation is a genuine attempt at coalition building or simply a strategic manoeuvre in a high-stakes political game.