Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar‘s remarks that nobody was worried (chinta) when eight-nine children were born in the family (of a political leader).
Speaking at an election rally in Hajipur on Monday Nitish, while referring to his former bosom friend Lalu Prasad, whom he would earlier use to address as ‘Bade Bhai’ (Elder Brother), said:”Beti par bharosa hi nahin, kai ek betiyan huin to beta hua,” (He had no faith on daughter. After the birth of many daughters, a son was born). What type of Bihar they wanted to make.
The chief minister’s outburst took even the NDA leaders by surprise and many of them were in private upset as such remarks amount to scoring self-goal.
The leader of opposition and Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial face, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, was quick to retort: “Actually Nitish has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who are six-seven brothers and sisters…I have already said that Nitishji has got tired,” Tejashwi, the youngest son of Lalu, said. He would be 31 on Nov 9, 2020.
Curiously, when nine children were born in the Lalu Prasad-Rabri Devi family Nitish was among the closest comrades of the jailed RJD supremo. He parted ways only in the summer of 1994 and on Oct 19 the same year joined hands with others to form the Samata Party, the earlier version of Janata Dal United.
After the 2014 Lok Sabha election debacle Nitish once again extended his hand to befriend Lalu. A year later he became the chief minister with the help of the same Lalu Prasad. However, on July 26, 2017 he ditched Bade Bhai and made the homecoming to the NDA.
It was not the first time that Nitish has made personal attack on Lalu, his sons and immediate family members during the election campaign.
Tejashwi, on his part, has repeatedly reminded him to speak on the issues. The young RJD leader said that all these personal attacks are in fact ‘ashirwaad’ (blessings) for him.
