Patna, February 10: Political tensions are simmering in Bihar following Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s controversial reference to former Chief Minister Rabri Devi as ‘larki’ (girl) during a recent assembly session. The remark has sparked outrage among Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders and supporters, who have launched a scathing attack on the CM.
Bihar government minister Dilip Jaiswal sought to defuse the situation, asserting that there is no need to escalate this into a major controversy. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Jaiswal highlighted the longstanding personal rapport between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav’s family. ‘The CM and Rabri Devi share a close bond and often exchange banter in an informal manner,’ he explained. ‘This is just part of their personal dynamic and shouldn’t be blown out of proportion.’
Meanwhile, another minister, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, expressed frustration over the opposition’s disruptive tactics in the legislature. ‘It’s baffling why the opposition insists on unruly behavior inside the house,’ he remarked. Chaudhary emphasized that parliamentary rules exist for raising serious issues decorously, and the government is always prepared to respond to legitimate questions. However, he condemned mere sloganeering as unbecoming of democratic norms.
The RJD has intensified its criticism, accusing Nitish Kumar of misogyny and questioning his commitment to women’s safety. In a strongly worded post on X, the party stated that if the state’s Chief Minister resorts to derogatory language against Bihar’s first woman CM in public view, it sets a dangerous precedent for criminals and goons. ‘With the CM himself unable to speak respectfully to women, what can one expect from the Bihar police?’ the post questioned, further alleging that Nitish’s mental state poses a threat to law and order.
Opposition members in the legislative council staged a protest at the main gate, raising slogans against the CM’s ‘indecent’ language. As the controversy rages on, it underscores the fragile alliances and deep-seated rivalries in Bihar’s volatile political landscape. The coming days will reveal whether this spat escalates or fades into routine political rhetoric.