Bihar: RJD MP criticises BJP for its alliance with Nitish Kumar 

Patna, Feb 15 (IANS) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Sanjay Yadav, has criticised the BJP and claimed that the party maintains its alliance with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar primarily due to apprehensions about RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Yadav contends that without the perceived influence of Lalu Prasad Yadav, the BJP would not have sustained its partnership with Nitish Kumar.

Highlighting Lalu Prasad Yadav's enduring impact on Bihar's political landscape, Sanjay Yadav noted that, except for the 2010 elections, the RJD has consistently secured a significant number of seats in the state assembly, even forming the government in 2015.

Sanjay Yadav claimed he had asked several questions to the Central government concerning developmental promises made to Bihar in Rajya Sabha.

“In the Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of three greenfield airports in Bihar, alongside the expansion of Patna airport and the development of a brownfield airport at Bihta. However, specific details regarding the exact locations and allocated funds for these three greenfield projects were not disclosed in the budget speech,” Yadav said.

“As we have raised questions of the locations of three airports, BJP leaders clarified that two airports are being coming in Sonpur in Saran district and Rajgir in Nalanda district,” Yadav said.

He has sought clarification on these points, questioning the feasibility and planning behind constructing new airports in locations such as Sonpur (Saran) and Rajgir (Nalanda), which are in close proximity of 65 KM radius to existing airports in Patna and Gaya.

Sanjay Yadav also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2015 promise to grant Bihar special state status and a special financial package. He has questioned the current status of these commitments, seeking transparency on whether the special status has been conferred and how the promised funds have been utilised.

With Prime Minister Modi scheduled to visit Bihar on February 24, Sanjay Yadav emphasised the importance of addressing these unresolved issues.

He asserts that while the Prime Minister is welcome to visit, there is an expectation for accountability and clarity regarding the promises made to the people of Bihar.

In response to the BJP's projection of winning 225 seats in the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, Yadav drew parallels to the party's ambitious yet unmet goal of securing 400 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

He claimed that similar overconfidence may lead to lower outcomes in the upcoming state elections. The defeat of NDA is certain in Bihar.