RJD MLA courts controversy for objectionable remarks against Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
Patna (PTI): Senior RJD leader Sudhakar Singh has courted controversy by making objectionable remarks against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Interacting with reporters on Monday, Singh, the son of RJD state president Jagadanand Singh, compared Kumar to 'Shikhandi' a eunuch character in Mahabharata and said he has no standing of his own.
The former state agriculture minister demanded that Kumar should immediately step down and offer the CM's post to Tejashwi Yadav.
"People will not remember him (Nitish) once he steps down. Nitish has done nothing great for the state there are people like former CMs -- late Krishna Sinha and Karpoori Thakur -- who will always be remembered by the people of Bihar for their contribution.
"Same is the case with our leader and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad ji, who has done a lot for the state...but Nitish Kumar's name will not be there in history. He will not be remembered at all. He is like 'Shikhandi', who has no standing of his own," he said.
Singh had resigned as the state agriculture minister in October, 2022, after he rubbed Kumar the wrong way with his repeated outbursts against corruption in the department.
The RJD MLA's statement triggered massive controversy in the state.
Reacting sharply to Singh's remarks, senior RJD leader Shivanand Tiwary, said, "Such comments deserve strong condemnation. This may have an adverse impact on the unity of all alliance partners of the 'Mahagathbandhan' government in the state. He has deliberately made such remarks against the CM. His old association with the BJP is well known."
Echoing a similar view, Upendra Kushwaha, national parliamentary board president of JD(U), said, "The statement of the RJD MLA is unacceptable. This is an attempt to breach the decorum."
Kushwaha tweeted, "People know what Nitish Ji has done for the state. Nitish Ji will always be remembered for his developmental works and bold steps which he took for the betterment of the state."
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Kharge rules out Chief Minister change in Karnataka 'for now'
Kalaburgai (Karnataka) (PTI): AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said there was no Chief Minister change in Karnataka "for now" and that the leadership issue in the state will be resolved soon.
The Congress chief's statement comes amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have been insisting on his elevation in lines with a rumoured power-sharing agreement with CM Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly polls.
"You (media), he (Parameshwara) and people at the top say that it is better if I become (the chief minister). But, more than fate, as per my ideology and as per my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi takes decisions regarding me," he said in response to a question about Home Minister G Parameshwara's statement about Kharge becoming the CM.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "But, that question does not arise now. There is already a Chief Minister here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and I, together, have to take any decision in the direction of a change, it will take some time. Let's wait and see."
Amid speculations about the leadership change in Karnataka, Parameshwara said on Wednesday that everyone in the ruling Congress party will welcome, if Kharge, a senior politician with a lot of experience, becomes the chief minister.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
To a question on JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy's statement that about 40 Congress MLAs having booked tickets to Delhi next month, amid the leadership tussle in the Congress, Kharge said, "I don't know, ask him for details."
