Patna— With Assembly bypolls approaching in four constituencies across Bihar, JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar took aim at RJD leader and former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, accusing him of fostering communal tensions during his tenure. Kumar specifically cited the 1989 Bhagalpur riots, where numerous Muslim families were affected, asserting that Lalu had “honored” a figure linked to the violence during a public event to appeal to Muslim voters.

This critique came as a response to recent remarks from Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition, who on Monday accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of nurturing communalism and supporting divisive elements in the state. Tejashwi alleged that Nitish’s actions betray his public stance, suggesting that while he speaks of Gandhian values, he privately aligns with more polarizing ideologies. He attributed the rise of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Bihar to Nitish’s administration.

Countering these accusations, Neeraj Kumar defended Nitish’s record, highlighting efforts to support and rehabilitate communities impacted by violence under his administration. He also questioned Tejashwi’s capabilities as a leader, suggesting that Lalu Prasad’s active involvement in the RJD’s campaign—such as his recent support for Belaganj candidate Vishwanath Singh Yadav—indicates a lack of confidence in Tejashwi's leadership skills.

Additionally, Neeraj Kumar pointed to Tejashwi’s limited educational background, hinting at what he described as a lack of dedication to formal education. The JD(U) further criticized the “Charwaha Schools,” an educational initiative introduced by Lalu Prasad to serve marginalized children from farming and herding communities. While intended to provide access to education, the JD(U) has long disparaged the program as emblematic of the RJD’s allegedly insufficient focus on quality education.