Tejashwi Yadav Urges Nitish Kumar to Leverage ‘Kingmaker’ Role for Bihar’s Benefit
06.06.2024: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has called on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to use his influential position within the NDA to secure special status for Bihar. This statement follows a buzz generated by a viral photo of the two leaders, hinting at a possible reconciliation and highlighting Kumar’s history of political shifts.
Political Buzz and Social Media Reactions
On Wednesday, social media was abuzz with photos of Tejashwi Yadav and his former boss, Nitish Kumar, traveling together to Delhi. Both leaders, representing NDA and INDIA, were headed to the capital for meetings following the Lok Sabha Election results, which saw the BJP fall short of a majority.
Calls for Special Status and Caste-Based Census
“NDA has the numbers, but we want the forthcoming government to prioritize Bihar and ensure it gets special status,” Yadav told ANI. He emphasized that this is a prime opportunity for Kumar, as a potential kingmaker, to push for special status for Bihar and advocate for a caste-based census nationwide. Yadav also noted that for the first time, Prime Minister Modi’s “magic was finished,” making him reliant on NDA allies to form a government.
Historical Context and Viral Encounter
The photo of Yadav and Kumar has sparked speculation about a possible INDIA reconciliation for Nitish Kumar, known for his political flip-flops. Last year, Kumar traveled across the country, seeking support from opposition leaders to create a united front against the BJP-led NDA.
In one viral image, Yadav is seen sitting behind Kumar on the flight. Later photos show the two former allies sitting next to each other, smiling. “We greeted each other. I was initially seated behind him, but he saw me and invited me to sit with him,” Yadav explained.
Election Results and Political Dynamics
According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP-led NDA secured 294 seats in the 543-member Parliament, surpassing the majority mark of 272 by 22 seats. Meanwhile, the INDIA Opposition bloc won 234 seats, falling short by 38 seats.
TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu and JDU’s Nitish Kumar, both NDA allies, now hold significant power. While Naidu has pledged his support to the NDA, Kumar’s stance remains pivotal. JDU leader KC Tyagi confirmed to ANI that their party will remain with the BJP alliance, despite the INDIA leaders’ attempts to persuade them to join the opposition bloc.
The political landscape in India is poised for significant shifts as alliances and power dynamics evolve. As Nitish Kumar navigates his role within the NDA, all eyes will be on how he leverages his influence to address Bihar’s needs and the broader political implications for the country.