The appearance of two Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLAs, Vibha Devi and Prakash Veer, on the stage during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Bodh Gaya has stirred speculation of imminent defections within Bihar’s political landscape.
Both legislators, representing Nawada and Rajauli constituencies respectively, stood alongside Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders.
Their presence has fuelled rumours that they may be preparing to switch allegiances ahead of the forthcoming state elections.
Vibha Devi, wife of former RJD MLA Rajballabh Yadav, has been under the spotlight following her husband’s recent acquittal by the Patna High Court in a POCSO case.
Growing speculation about her potential defection to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified after her public appearance at the Prime Minister’s event.
Reports say Prakash Veer feels discontented with the RJD leadership, which has further fuelled speculation that he might join the NDA camp.
RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari sought to downplay the significance of the event.
“During elections, it is common for leaders to shift sides,” he remarked, adding that this incident does not cause major concern for us.
Tiwari further criticised the BJP, stating, “Those facing corruption or criminal charges become ‘clean’ once they join the BJP. Vibha Devi’s husband was accused of rape involving a minor and has now been acquitted; suddenly, everything is whitewashed.”
He also noted that Prakash Veer has engaged in anti-party activities, adding, “If he wishes to leave the RJD, no one can stop him.”
The BJP, however, distanced itself from the controversy, emphasising that the event was a Prime Minister’s rally rather than a party function.
“Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, and Nitish Kumar is Bihar’s Chief Minister. They represent the nation and the state. The presence of the two RJD MLAs should not politicised,” said BJP spokesperson Arvind Kumar Singh.
The incident evokes memories of the February 2023 floor test, during which four RJD MLAs, Prahlad Yadav, Chetan Anand, Neelam Devi, and Sangeeta Kumari, defected, with Sangeeta eventually joining the BJP.
Since winning 75 seats in the 2020 assembly elections, the RJD’s tally has fallen to 73 due to defections and by-election losses, signalling a turbulent political environment as the state heads towards its next polls.
Also Read: PM Modi Slams RJD Over ‘Lantern Raj’; Launches Rs 12,992 Crore Development Projects In Bihar
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