The Bihar Legislative Council witnessed a fiery exchange between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Leader of Opposition Rabri Devi, as the two political heavyweights traded sharp remarks over governance and women’s welfare in the state.

War of words over women’s welfare

The controversy erupted when Rabri Devi, a senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Chief Minister, accused Nitish Kumar of failing to bring any substantial progress during his tenure. Her remarks provoked an immediate response from the Chief Minister, who countered that it was the RJD government that neglected women’s welfare.

“Did any work happen for women? And how much have we done? They did not even educate women. Do you know how women have surged ahead?” Nitish Kumar said, asserting that under his leadership, safety and opportunities for women had significantly improved. He further took a jibe at RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, mentioning that he had appointed his wife, Rabri Devi, as Chief Minister when he had to step down.

The RJD leaders staged a walkout following these remarks.

“Did women roam naked before 2005?” asks Rabri Devi

Speaking to reporters outside the House, Rabri Devi launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister, questioning his claims about women’s progress under his rule.

“He asks if women in Bihar had clothes before 2005. I want to ask Nitish Kumar, did the women of their family roam around naked? People of Bihar know what we did for women and backward classes,” she stated. She further accused the Chief Minister of being under the influence of party members who provoke him into making controversial statements.

Tejashwi Yadav joins the attack

Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and Rabri Devi’s son, also criticized Nitish Kumar’s remarks, stating that his mother was Bihar’s first woman Chief Minister and that Nitish Kumar merely resorts to shouting at women. “I hope God cures him fast,” he added.

Political realignments and history of alliances

The heated exchange comes at a crucial time, with the Lok Sabha elections approaching and political alignments shifting rapidly in Bihar. Once a close ally of Lalu Prasad Yadav in the 1990s, Nitish Kumar later distanced himself and forged his own political path. After serving as Chief Minister since 2005, he has repeatedly switched alliances—partnering with the BJP in 2020, then joining hands with the Opposition in 2022, only to return to the NDA fold in 2024.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaged in a heated exchange in the state assembly on Wednesday, with both sides leveling accusations of communal politics. The confrontation intensified as Ms. Banerjee asserted, “I’m a Hindu… don’t need certification from BJP,” while criticizing the party’s approach toward religious identity.

Mamata Banerjee counters BJP’s “anti-Hindu” claims

The row erupted after BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of being “anti-Hindu.” In response, Ms. Banerjee slammed the BJP for allegedly targeting the Muslim community, particularly during the holy month of Ramzan.

“They don’t like this. They are trying to distract the attention of the country from economic and trade collapse by making communal statements. I’m a Hindu, and I don’t need certification from BJP,” she declared.

She further reminded the assembly that India’s democracy is founded on secularism, sovereignty, and pluralism, stating that every citizen has the right to practice their faith freely, whether they are Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, or Parsi.

BJP protests, raises past remarks by TMC leader

As the Chief Minister delivered her speech, BJP MLAs erupted in protest. BJP’s Shankar Ghosh referred to past remarks made by senior TMC leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, where he allegedly suggested bringing non-Muslims under Islam’s fold. Although Hakim later apologized, his statement had caused controversy.

In response, Ms. Banerjee said she had warned Mr. Hakim against making such remarks. She, however, countered with a question for the BJP: “How can your leader say ‘Muslim legislators will be thrown out’?”

This was a reference to Suvendhu Adhikari’s recent statement that if the BJP comes to power, Muslim MLAs from the TMC would be removed.

Adhikari’s remark sparks backlash

Adhikari, once a close aide of Banerjee before switching to the BJP in December 2020, intensified the attack on TMC, alleging that the state government was acting like the “second version of the Muslim League.”

Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh condemned Adhikari’s words, calling them “hate speech” and stating, “He cannot say MLAs from a particular religion will be thrown out physically… This mentality is not good.”

Many senior BJP leaders refrained from commenting on Adhikari’s remarks, while protests by BJP legislators continued outside the assembly.

A major political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after the ruling Congress government appointed party workers as office-bearers of a panel responsible for implementing its pre-poll guarantees. The opposition BJP and JD(S) have accused the government of misusing taxpayers’ money to compensate its workers, escalating tensions within the state assembly and beyond.

BJP and JD(S) question Congress’ move

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] have strongly criticized the Congress-led state government, alleging that public funds are being funneled to party workers under the guise of governance. Protests erupted outside the Vidhana Soudha, with BJP MLAs staging demonstrations against the decision.

JD(S) MLA MT Krishnappa raised the issue in the Assembly, questioning why Congress workers were being given salaries and perks when MLAs and officials were already overseeing programme implementation.

BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, launched a sharp attack on Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accusing him of failing to differentiate between the party and the government. “How can you give taxpayers’ money to Congress workers? If you want to pay them, go beg on the streets. These Congress workers have been given cabinet rank, official bungalows, and offices,” he alleged.

DK Shivakumar defends appointments

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responded to the criticism by stating that Congress workers had every right to monitor the government’s programs. “It is the will of the government. The party workers who brought this government to power have every right to oversee its programmes,” he asserted.

Mr. Ashoka countered by asking if BJP workers could also be appointed to oversee Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schemes.

BJP leader and former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra accused Congress workers of holding parallel meetings instead of coordinating with MLAs. “Don’t you trust us? We are already receiving salaries and perks for the same purpose. This is undemocratic,” he said.

BJP intensifies attack, alleges misuse of funds

Further intensifying its attack, the BJP claimed that a massive financial burden was being placed on the state exchequer to fund these appointments. BJP state president BY Vijayendra accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of misusing state funds, announcing that the party would submit a memorandum to the Governor.

BJP leaders alleged that Congress workers were receiving significant financial benefits under the scheme. In every Assembly constituency, Congress-appointed leaders were reportedly being given a salary of Rs 25,000 along with personal assistants, while the state panel president was receiving Rs 40,000 and vice presidents Rs 25,000.

“Every year, Rs 15-20 crore is being looted and distributed among Congress workers,” Ashoka claimed, alleging that state resources were being diverted to strengthen the ruling party’s hold.

Congress defends guarantee schemes

Shivakumar dismissed the BJP’s accusations, stating that the government had made a budgetary allocation of Rs 52,000-Rs 56,000 crore for its guarantee schemes, which constitute 20% of the state budget. He also pointed out that similar schemes were being implemented in BJP-ruled states like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

“Everyone from the Prime Minister to an MLA of BJP criticised the guarantee schemes. Irrespective of the opposition, we went ahead and rolled it out. The guarantee schemes will not stop as long as the Congress government is in power,” he reiterated.