Wed Mar 12 11:19:26 UTC 2025: ## Bihar’s Nitish Kumar and Rabri Devi Trade Barbs in Heated Legislative Council Exchange
PATNA, INDIA – A bitter war of words erupted in Bihar’s Legislative Council today between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD leader Rabri Devi, escalating political tensions ahead of upcoming elections. The clash centered on accusations regarding the treatment of women under their respective administrations.
Kumar attacked the RJD’s record on women’s welfare, criticizing the appointment of Rabri Devi as Chief Minister following her husband Lalu Yadav’s arrest on corruption charges. He claimed the RJD did nothing for Bihar’s women during their time in power. His comments prompted a walkout by RJD members.
Devi, in response, accused Kumar of disrespecting women and questioned whether his family lacked clothing before he assumed the Chief Ministership in 2005. She dismissed his claims and defended the RJD’s record on women’s empowerment. Devi’s son and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, also criticized Kumar, stating that his mother was the state’s first female Chief Minister and accusing Kumar of only knowing how to “shout at women.”
The heated exchange reflects the deep-seated rivalry between Kumar and the RJD, a relationship marked by periods of alliance and bitter antagonism. Their latest confrontation underscores the escalating political climate in Bihar as the state heads towards crucial elections. The two leaders have a long and complex history, having been allies before Kumar’s subsequent shifts in political alliances, most recently returning to the NDA in 2024. The verbal sparring adds another layer to the already complex political landscape of Bihar.
First Piper 