Tejashwi Yadav speaks in Bihar assembly ahead of Nitish Kumar trust vote
today, Lalu Yadav's son Tejashwi Yadav made his debut speech as leader of opposition. "
Aapko sharam nahin aayi? (Aren't you ashamed?)," reproached the 27-year-old, who was deputy Chief Minister till Nitish Kumar's abrupt resignation on Wednesday left him without a top post and his party RJD out of power.
Tejashwi's 41-minute speech was themed around Nitish Kumar's "vishwasghaat (betrayal)"."He cheated and betrayed the people of the state who gave him massive mandate. He played dirty politics. He just looked for an excuse to cross over to the BJP," he charged. Accusing Nitish Kumar of opportunism, he said: "Lalu Yadav was already tainted, yet they formed a government with us...This was a farce to protect Nitish Kumar's image."
As he was heckled by the BJP, which sat in the government benches after a dramatic reunion with Nitish Kumar, junior Yadav said: "You had 91 legislators and Nitish Kumar ditched you like
doodh mein makkhi (flies in milk) Nitish never dared to dismiss us though we had 80 MLAs."
Nitish Kumar won the floor test easily with the BJP by his side and the party's Sushil Kumar Modi back as his deputy.
Outside the state assembly, members of the RJD or Rashtriya Janata Dal raised slogans describing Nitish Kumar as a turncoat. "
Main Kursi Kumar Hoon (I am Kursi Kumar)," said one of the posters they held up.
Nitish Kumar's sudden resignation torpedoed the grand alliance he had formed with Lalu Yadav and the Congress two years ago, after days of deadlock over corruption charges against Tejashwi and CBI raids against the Yadavs.
"I am here to serve the people, not one family...We are not here only to enjoy the fruits of power," the Chief Minister said in his searing retort to Tejashwi.
Nitish Kumar said it was impossible for him to continue with Lalu Yadav, who had refused to allow Tejashwi's removal over the charges.
"He turned out to be a snake," Tejashwi told reporters.
After the trust vote, he had more to vent. Dripping with sarcasm, he reminded Nitish Kumar how he had lampooned Prime Minister Narendra Modi by twisting the lyrics of a popular film number.