Patna erupted in political banter when Bihar minister Lakhan Dev Paswan hit back at Tejashwi Yadav’s ‘puppet chief minister’ label for Nitish Kumar. ‘Tejashwi’s gauge of development is fractured; spectacles are in order to see the real Bihar boom,’ Paswan jabbed in an IANS interview.
Lauding Nitish’s vigor, Paswan elaborated: ‘Relentlessly working round-the-clock, the CM has traversed Bihar extensively, tackling commoners’ pains on-site. He dominates legislative proceedings with self-assured verdicts, refuting any puppet claims outright.’
Responding to RLJM’s Madhav Anand’s liquor prohibition review demand, Paswan affirmed: ‘Rooted in clear vision for empowered women and a robust Bihar, the ban is essential. A thorough assessment of implementation is entirely justified.’
CPI(M) leader Ajay Kumar recounted a telling episode. ’17th Assembly saw KK Pathak declare 9-5 school timings, sparking uproar. Nitish assured 10-4 in assembly, only for Pathak to enforce his version next day. Classic puppet scenario,’ he posited.
With elections looming, this spat highlights contrasting visions: NDA’s development drive versus opposition’s skepticism. Paswan’s quip energizes allies, framing Nitish as Bihar’s unyielding architect.