KKN Gurugram Desk | A fresh political storm has erupted in Bihar after RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav took to social media early Tuesday morning to launch a fierce attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The former Bihar CM accused the current administration of failing miserably in maintaining law and order and alleged that over 65,000 murders have occurred during Nitish’s tenure.

The timing, tone, and content of Lalu’s statement have reignited the political war of words in the state, with the RJD intensifying its offensive ahead of the upcoming political season.

The Provocative Post: Lalu Yadav Questions CM on Murders and Policing

Posting on X (formerly Twitter) at around 6:30 AM, Lalu Prasad Yadav wrote:

“Let Nitish answer how many murders are happening inside homes before 5 PM?
Does Nitish even know, recognize, or understand that 65,000 murders have occurred during his rule according to official records?
Nitish-BJP not only failed law and order but conducted its final rites. Bihar has never seen such a corrupt, careless, and incompetent police force.”

The post, delivered in Lalu’s signature rustic yet impactful style, has gone viral on social media and sparked strong reactions across party lines.

Targeting BJP Alongside Nitish

Lalu did not spare the BJP, which has intermittently been a part of the Nitish-led government in Bihar. He accused the alliance of completely eroding public trust in law enforcement and turning the state’s legal framework into a mockery.

Political observers note that this is not just a routine criticism—it marks a deliberate escalation in the RJD’s campaign against the NDA alliance in Bihar.

Context: Rising Concerns Over Law and Order in Bihar

Lalu’s attack comes in the backdrop of increasing reports of:

• Daily violent crimes, including murders, kidnappings, and armed robberies.

• Allegations of police inaction, corruption, and political interference in criminal investigations.

• A perceived decline in public safety, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.

Several media reports and civil society groups have raised red flags over Bihar’s worsening crime graph. Lalu’s post appears to echo these growing public concerns and aims to channel voter anger against the ruling government.

Tejashwi Yadav Echoes His Father’s Sentiment

Lalu’s son and Leader of Opposition in Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, has consistently criticized Nitish Kumar on similar grounds. He has accused the Chief Minister of being:

• Disconnected from governance

• Mentally unfit to handle the state’s complex issues

• A puppet in the hands of bureaucracy

In recent press conferences, Tejashwi said:

“Bihar is not being run by the Chief Minister. It’s being run by officers. Nitish Kumar is merely reading files prepared for him.”

He has also demanded a complete overhaul of the policing system and even hinted at the need for President’s Rule, should crime rates continue unabated.

BJP Responds: Labels Lalu’s Post ‘Desperate’

In response to Lalu Yadav’s social media tirade, several BJP leaders hit back, calling the RJD supremo’s remarks a sign of political desperation.

State BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand stated:

“Lalu Yadav, who himself presided over the most criminalized and lawless regime in Bihar’s history, is now lecturing others on law and order.
Under Nitish-BJP rule, Bihar has improved significantly in many governance indicators.”

The BJP maintains that the Nitish government has initiated reforms in policing and administration, and that Lalu’s criticism is an attempt to divert attention from internal RJD tensions and lack of leadership clarity.

Political Implications: A Battle for Narrative Control

Lalu Yadav’s aggressive tone signals a strategic move to frame the political narrative in Bihar ahead of upcoming elections—possibly the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections or 2026 local body polls.

The RJD’s objectives:

• Reassert Lalu’s presence and authority in state politics.

• Showcase the RJD as the only credible opposition.

• Build momentum for Tejashwi’s leadership.

• Focus public discourse on crime, corruption, and governance failure.

The NDA’s counter-strategy:

• Highlight development projects, especially in infrastructure and education.

• Emphasize Nitish Kumar’s governance record, especially from 2005–2015.

• Discredit Lalu’s past as an example of “jungle raj.”

Data Check: Are Lalu’s Murder Claims Accurate?

Lalu Yadav’s post claims that 65,000 murders have occurred during Nitish Kumar’s tenure. While this number is not officially verified in his post, some reports suggest that since Nitish first took office in 2005, Bihar has witnessed:

• An average of 3,000–4,000 murders annually, based on NCRB data.

• Over 60,000 violent crimes in the last 15 years.

• A recent surge in rural crime, often linked to property disputes and caste violence.

If compiled over two decades, the cumulative figure might align with Lalu’s claim, but it requires contextual interpretation and cannot be seen in isolation.

Police Reforms or Political Pressure?

Critics argue that the current police force in Bihar suffers from:

• Shortage of manpower

• Delayed promotions and lack of morale

• Frequent political interference in postings and investigations

Even during previous regimes—both under Lalu and Nitish—police reforms have been stalled due to administrative bottlenecks and political unwillingness.

Senior police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted:

“Law enforcement is effective only when it has autonomy. In Bihar, political influence often determines who gets arrested and who doesn’t.”

Public Sentiment: Caught Between Fear and Frustration

Public reactions on social media platforms to Lalu’s post were mixed:

• Some agreed with him, sharing personal experiences of crime and police apathy.

• Others criticized him for politicizing serious issues and ignoring his own past record.

Polls conducted by local news platforms suggest that law and order ranks among the top three concerns for Bihar voters, along with unemployment and education.

With Lalu Yadav re-entering the fray vocally and directly, the political climate in Bihar is set to heat up further. Whether this translates into actual electoral gains for the RJD or serves merely as a media event remains to be seen.

What’s clear is that issues like law and order, police performance, and governance will dominate the state’s political discourse in the coming months.

For voters, the challenge is to look beyond rhetoric and demand real accountability from both the ruling and opposition camps.