Bihar – Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing offensive through his Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks at a rally in poll-bound Bihar’s Vaishali on Monday. The Congress chief’s attack came a day after Prime Minister Modi’s ‘katta’ jibe at Congress and RJD, marking an escalation in the war of words ahead of Bihar assembly elections. The Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks centered on allegations that the Bihar chief minister has surrendered to BJP for power but will ultimately be denied the chief minister’s post.
“Sitting in BJP’s Lap” Accusation
The most striking aspect of the Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks was the vivid imagery used to describe the Bihar chief minister’s relationship with BJP. Kharge stated that Nitish Kumar is now “sitting in BJP’s lap” but predicted that despite this subservience, the saffron party won’t reward him with the chief minister’s position. Instead, according to the Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks, BJP will give the post to some ‘chela’ (disciple or follower).
This prediction in the Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks suggests internal NDA dynamics where Nitish Kumar might be sidelined despite being the face of the alliance in Bihar. The use of the term ‘chela’ implies that BJP might elevate a loyalist from within its own ranks or someone more pliable to party leadership.
Two Decades of Governance Criticized
The Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks included harsh criticism of the Bihar chief minister’s long tenure in office. Kharge emphasized that Nitish Kumar has taken oath as Chief Minister nine times and ruled Bihar for twenty years, yet according to the Congress president, has failed to improve people’s lives meaningfully. This aspect of the Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks directly challenges the development narrative that NDA has been promoting.
Kharge’s specific allegations in his Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks focused on employment and migration issues. He claimed that despite two decades in power, Nitish Kumar failed to provide adequate jobs or stop the migration of Bihar’s youth to other states seeking employment opportunities. This critique strikes at core governance issues that resonate with Bihar’s electorate.
Betrayal of Socialist Legacy Alleged
A significant component of the Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks involved accusations of betraying socialist ideological heritage. Kharge lambasted Kumar for allegedly abandoning the legacy of socialist icons including Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Karpoori Thakur. These leaders represent Bihar’s proud socialist tradition, and the Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks positioned the current chief minister as having forsaken these principles.
The Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks specifically criticized Nitish Kumar for joining hands with what Kharge termed the “anti-women” BJP, which he said believes in the “Manu Smriti.” This reference to the ancient Hindu text, controversial for its hierarchical social prescriptions, was used to contrast BJP’s ideology with the egalitarian principles of socialist leaders.
Cannot Champion Marginalized Causes
Expanding on the ideological critique in his Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks, the Congress president declared that Nitish Kumar cannot genuinely champion the causes of Dalits, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) while being associated with BJP. Kharge stated that Kumar’s association with a party that “believes in Manu Smriti” makes him incompatible with representing marginalized communities’ interests.
This aspect of the Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks attempts to undermine one of the Bihar chief minister’s key political strengths—his traditional support among backward classes and his reputation as a champion of social justice politics.
Modi’s Campaign Intensity Mocked
Beyond the direct Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks, the Congress president also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intensive campaigning in Bihar. Kharge mocked Modi’s extensive presence in the state, comparing it humorously to someone organizing “his son’s wedding.” This comparison in the Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks speech suggested that Modi’s involvement was excessive and perhaps desperate.
Kharge criticized Modi for having time to tour the world but allegedly not taking stock of affairs within his own country except during elections. The Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks rally also featured criticism of Modi’s visible presence even during municipal polls, suggesting opportunistic political engagement rather than genuine governance concern.
Electoral Context and Timing
The Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks come at a crucial juncture as campaigning intensifies ahead of Bihar Assembly elections. Opposition leaders are sharpening their attacks on the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance, and Kharge’s statements represent a comprehensive assault on both the state and central leadership of NDA.
According to the polling schedule referenced during the Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks rally, the first phase of Bihar elections will be held on November 6 for 121 assembly constituencies, with the second phase for the remaining 122 constituencies scheduled for November 11. Vote counting will occur on November 14.
Strategic Political Messaging
The Kharge Nitish Kumar remarks represent a multi-pronged political strategy: questioning Nitish Kumar’s loyalty rewards from BJP, criticizing his governance record, challenging his ideological consistency, and undermining his social justice credentials—all aimed at weakening NDA’s position before crucial voting begins.
