'My father saved you twice': Tejashwi hits back at Nitish Kumar's 'I made your father' jibe

RJD Leader Tejashwi Yadav.

In a clear indication of escalating war of words, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Thursday countered Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s remark, “I made your father…,” claiming that it was Lalu Prasad Yadav who had helped Nitish twice to save his post and prevent JD(U) from disintegrating.

Yadav also accused Nitish of distorting facts for political gain. Tejashwi stated that his father, Lalu Prasad, had already been elected as an MLA twice and an MP before Nitish’s rise to power. He further claimed that Lalu, who previously served as chief minister and union minister, played a key role in shaping the careers of several Prime Ministers.

Tejashwi Yadav, had hit out at Nitish Kumar, questioning his narrative of Bihar's history before 2005. Nitish Kumar then hit back at Tejashwi Yadav and said he had "made" Lalu Yadav.

On Tuesday, Kumar and Yadav engaged in a heated exchange in the state assembly, with Kumar asserting that he was responsible for making Tejashwi’s father, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, what he became in politics. During the discussion, Nitish Kumar, in an apparent jibe at Tejashwi, remarked, “What was there in Bihar earlier? It was me who made your father what he became. Even the people from your caste were asking me why I was doing this, but I still supported him.”

The RJD and the JDU have stepped up attacks against each other ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Nitish Kumar, who was in alliance with the RJD and the Congress till January 2024, had broken away from the Mahagathbandhan to rejoin the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

In January this year, Lalu Prasad Yadav had said that the doors of the INDIA bloc are open for the JD(U) chief. "Our doors are open for Nitish Kumar. He should also unbolt his gates. This would facilitate the movement of people from both sides," the RJD chief had said.

On Wednesday, Tejashwi pledged to implement a 100 per cent domicile policy in Bihar and establish a Youth Commission to address youth-related concerns. Speaking at Yuva Chaupal, he promised to waive competitive examination fees and cover transportation costs for candidates travelling long distances to exam centres.