NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, facing a “boycott” by Muslim groups for supporting the central government’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was targeted in a poster put up outside the residence of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar’s former chief minister, Rabri Devi.
The poster, put up by RJD member Sanju Kohli, accused Kumar of betraying the Muslim community on multiple issues, including the Waqf Bill and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Using lyrics from a 1996 Bollywood film “Saajan Chale Sasural,” the poster labeled Kumar a “dhokhebaaz” (deceiver) who takes Muslim votes but fails to support their interests.
The JD(U) is a constituent of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the country’s governing coalition. The NDA governs Bihar as well.
Kumar’s support is crucial for the BJP as the latter lost its parliamentary majority in Lok Sabha polls last year.
The poster, meanwhile, comes two days after the same RJD leader, in another poster outside Rabri Devi’s residence, targeted Kumar for not standing in attention while the national anthem was going on.
In a video which went viral, the Bihar CM was seen talking and making gestures while the anthem was being played at an event in state capital Patna.
Bihar is scheduled to hold assembly polls later in the year. The election will be a straight contest between the NDA and the RJD-led opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).
