Tejashwi Yadav rejects Nitish’s return

New Delhi

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has categorically ruled out the possibility of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar rejoining the Opposition alliance ahead of the 2025 state assembly elections. Dismissing any chance of reconciliation, Tejashwi said Kumar had become “extra baggage” after switching alliances multiple times.

“Not a chance. It is acceptable to forgive one mistake, but Nitish Kumar has repeated the same mistake twice. He is now just a burden, a ‘bojh’,” Tejashwi told ANI in response to speculation that his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, might welcome Kumar back.

The statement comes amid a politically charged atmosphere in Bihar, with alliances being scrutinized in the lead-up to polls. Tejashwi also accused the BJP of undermining its regional allies, citing the example of Chirag Paswan’s party. “The BJP finishes every party it allies with. Look at what happened to Chirag’s party,” he added. Tejashwi challenged the BJP to publicly commit to making Nitish Kumar the chief minister again. “Let Amit Shah sign an affidavit stating Nitish will remain CM for five years,” he said.

Addressing reports of discord within the Opposition’s ‘mahagathbandhan’, he dismissed it as speculation and emphasized unity. “Internal matters are being resolved. Rahul Gandhi is actively campaigning, just like PM Modi is for the NDA,” he said. Tejashwi contrasted the NDA’s internal frictions with the coordination in the Opposition bloc, referring to public spats between NDA allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi, Upendra Kushwaha, and Chirag Paswan.