PTI
PATNA, NOVEMBER 21
There were fears that with the return on Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar may plunge back into the era when there was ‘jungle raj’ in the state.
However, a day after taking oath as chief minister of Bihar for a third consecutive ‘full’ term, Nitish Kumar has sought to rubbish those fears.
“There will be absolutely no compromise with the rule of law in the state,” Nitish told reporters today.
“This has been our guiding principle from the very start. We will work on the basis of the same in the future,” he categorically stated.
Nitish has formed the government in Bihar as a leader of the Grand Alliance which includes Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD and the Congress.
In fact, Lalu’s sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav have both joined the Nitish Cabinet and the former has been mad deputy chief minister.
Notably, Nitish has kept the Home portfolio with him, to give a signal to sceptics that law and order continues to remain priority for him.
Tejashwi hits back at critics, says may be inexperienced, not unaware
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad’s son Tejashwi Yadav hit back at criticism over being appointed the Bihar deputy chief minister on Saturday, saying “I may be inexperienced, but not unaware.”
“How am I undeserving? I am an elected representative,” television channels quoted Yadav as saying.
In a clear admission of the role Prasad played in routing the BJP in assembly elections, Tejashwi (26) was allocated the portfolios of PWD and forest and environment, while his elder son Tej Pratap (28) was named the health minister.
“Cynic, biased ones with vested interest will always be dismissive but stakeholders-people of Bihar-will reap fruits trust shown in youth,” Yadav tweeted to around 12,000 followers on Saturday. “No one should try judging a book by its cover. Potential, like sweet nectar & bitter medicine takes time to show its real benefit,” he added.
Read: Lalu Prasad’s son Tejashwi Yadav heralds a new beginning
Sources in the grand alliance -- the pre-poll coalition of JD-U, RJD and Congress – had earlier said there was an absence of consensus over the deputy CM’s post among the three parties.
For the young Tejashwi, the road to winning Raghopur was not easy as he became a target for his rivals’ barbs on several occasions. His goof-up in filing election affidavits - where his elder brother, Tej Pratap, became his younger brother - or being a Class 9 dropout, Tejashwi was targeted by people who had a bone to pick with his father.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also referred to the goof-up and attacked the RJD chief for promoting his son at the cost of others.
Seven reasons why Lalu chose younger son over elder one for Bihar deputy CM’s post
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has all the reasons to feel elated – firstly, his RJD has become the single largest party in Bihar Assembly with 80 seats, and secondly, both his sons Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav have risen to great heights in politics.
However, when it came to allotting the plum portfolio of deputy CM, Lalu chose 26-year-old Tejashwi over his elder son Tej Pratap. Here’s why the former Bihar CM may have made such a choice.
Rumours have it that Lalu trusts his younger son more than the elder one.
Tejashwi has been a cricketer and is quite popular among the masses than Tej Pratap.
Tejashwi is a better orator plus has a controlled diction than Tej Pratap.
It is said that Tejashwi has a better understanding of Bihar politics and has inherited the exact political style of his father.
Tejashwi is quite tech-savy and has a good fan following on social media.
He has launched many online and offline campaigns for his party.
It was Tejashwi who came to the forefront to counter the attacks of PM Narendra Modi during the latter’s rallies in Bihar.
Yesterday, while taking oath during the swearing-in ceremony, Tej Pratap Yadav misread some words for which he was publicly corrected by Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind.
