RJD slams Nitish Kumar as 'Cheatish Kumar' over Waqf Bill support, depicts him in RSS attire

RJD was severely critical of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by terming him as "Cheatish Kumar" and branding him an RSS member. The attack was post the fact that Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) party supported the Waqf Amendment Bill, which is controversial and protested by Muslim leaders.

JD(U) leaders resign over support to Waqf bill

RJD's assault on Nitish Kumar is just the start of the fallout regarding JD(U)'s backing of the Waqf Amendment Bill. Two JD(U) leaders, Mohammad Qasim Ansari and Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik, resigned in protest. The resignation of the leaders made the leadership crisis within JD(U) regarding its backing of the bill the prime focus. 

Bill sparks controversy and protests

The Waqf Amendment Bill, which increases the government's grip on waqf properties, has sent Muslim leaders into a tizzy and prompted protests in Bihar. All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has held protests in Patna, calling upon Nitish Kumar and NDA allies to resist the bill.

RJD's scathing attack on Nitish Kumar

The RJD attack on Nitish Kumar is a public indication of the party's desire to corner JD(U) president Nitish Kumar over his move to back the Waqf Amendment Bill. The RJD, in branding Nitish Kumar "Cheatish Kumar" and portraying him as an RSS functionary, is challenging Nitish Kumar's secular image and trying to imply that he is being lured by the RSS frame of mind.

Implications for Bihar assembly elections

The Waqf Amendment Bill controversy is likely to have significant repercussions for the Bihar assembly elections due later this year. The RJD's onslaught on Nitish Kumar and the JD(U) leaders' resignation in favor of the bill are open indicators of the political battle royale that is likely to ensue in Bihar.