As Bihar braces for upcoming Assembly elections, Union Minister Nityanand Rai rebuked RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for criticising Central development efforts in the state. Responding to Tejashwi’s remarks on BJP’s influence and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s role, Rai asserted that the Centre and state have jointly delivered progress in Bihar, and challenged opposition claims of political stagnation and administrative control.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that the BJP is fully prepared to present evidence of the developmental strides made in Bihar, crediting both the Centre’s vision and the state’s execution. Addressing Tejashwi Yadav’s recent attack, Rai said the ruling alliance is open to “sitting down with the opposition” to explain the transformation Bihar has undergone under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Tejashwi Yadav intensified his criticism of the BJP-JDU alliance, claiming that the BJP has “hijacked” the Janata Dal (United) and would control ticket distribution in the upcoming elections. He also cast aspersions on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s ability to govern, citing concerns about his health. The RJD leader suggested that Nitish’s perceived absence from governance benefits the BJP’s internal power play in Bihar.
In an apparent effort to reinforce his administrative presence, Nitish Kumar announced a significant increase in monthly pensions for widows, the elderly, and differently abled citizens under the state’s Social Security Pension Schemes—from ₹400 to ₹1,100. The move will benefit over one crore citizens and is being seen as a direct counter to the opposition’s narrative that the state is lagging in welfare commitments.
With the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for later this year, the exchange between BJP and RJD leaders signals an intensifying political atmosphere. While the BJP highlights infrastructure and social welfare development under the Modi-led Centre, the opposition is focusing on leadership vacuum and regional autonomy. Voter perception of these contrasting claims will shape the narrative as Bihar heads into another critical election cycle.
The war of words between Nityanand Rai and Tejashwi Yadav reflects growing friction in Bihar’s volatile political landscape. As Nitish Kumar attempts to reassert his leadership through welfare schemes, both national and regional parties are jostling to frame the development narrative ahead of polls. With rising stakes, voters will soon decide whether Bihar’s future lies with continuity under the current regime or with the change promised by the opposition.