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RJD Criticizes NDA for Dynastic Picks in Bihar Cabinet

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 4:59 GMT by RepublicWorld

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RJD slams NDA over dynastic politics in Bihar’s new cabinet – 10 ministers with family ties

After the 2024 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—comprising the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party—secured a decisive victory and Nitish Kumar, the JDU chief, formed the new state government. Within days of the cabinet announcement, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) threw its weight behind a fierce critique of the alliance’s leadership, arguing that the newly‑appointed ministers “reveal a regressive reliance on dynastic politics.” The RJD’s condemnation focused on a list of ten ministers who have close family connections to prominent political figures in the state, a pattern that the party’s leader Tejashwi Yadav says betrays voters’ expectations of merit‑based governance.

The 10 “dynastic” appointments

The article lists the 10 ministers who, according to the RJD, are linked to established political families. While the NDA’s official cabinet list names only the individual ministers, the RJD has drawn attention to the following familial connections:

The RJD’s analysis goes beyond a simple list of names; it frames the appointments as a continuation of the “political dynasties that have long dominated Bihar’s political landscape.” Tejashwi Yadav has repeatedly called for a shift toward “meritocracy and representation of the grassroots” in state politics. He argues that the NDA’s choice of ministers “ignores the talent available in the field and perpetuates a system that favours legacy over performance.”

The RJD’s response

In a press conference at the RJD’s headquarters, Tejashwi Yadav took the opportunity to launch a broader critique of the NDA’s “neo‑nepotism.” “We see the same faces that have been in power for decades. These are not a list of new entrants; they are heirs, sons, and nephews of the old guard,” he said. Yadav added that the public, especially the youth, “deserves a government that can bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions.”

The RJD also highlighted the coalition’s failure to address the needs of marginalised communities. “We are a party that fought against the entrenched elite, and we are disappointed that the government we oppose is built on the same foundations,” Yadav said. He called for an “inclusive and democratic” approach that would “prioritize the voices of the poor and the working class, not just those born into power.”

In response, the JDU’s spokesperson issued a statement affirming that the ministers were chosen on the basis of “expertise, experience, and commitment to public service.” The statement also argued that the RJD’s portrayal of the cabinet as purely “dynastic” oversimplified the complex realities of Bihar’s political landscape, where many of the nominated ministers come from families with a history of public service rather than merely “political privilege.” The BJP’s national spokesperson said the coalition was “focusing on the right priorities and delivering on development.”

Broader context: dynastic politics in Bihar

The article links to earlier coverage on Bihar’s long‑standing tradition of political families. Historically, Bihar has seen dynastic politicians such as the Yadav family, the Singh clan, and the Kumar brothers dominate the state’s political arena. The RJD’s criticism taps into a broader sentiment that many voters feel the NDA is not truly addressing the “real issues” of the state—such as unemployment, agrarian distress, and public health—because the leadership remains tied to a small, elite circle.

The piece also references the 2019 protest march led by Tejashwi Yadav at the Bihar Assembly, where he called for a “politics of the people.” In that context, the RJD’s latest statement is positioned as a continuation of its opposition’s long‑standing challenge to “elite‑controlled” politics.

Why the criticism matters

With the new government taking office, the RJD’s critique signals a potential electoral backlash against the NDA. The party has been gaining ground in the state’s rural constituencies, partly due to its narrative that it is the only voice left to represent the marginalized. By highlighting the perceived nepotism in the cabinet, the RJD aims to mobilise voters who feel that their electoral choice has been undermined by “politics of birthright.”

From a policy perspective, the debate raises an important question: does a cabinet heavy on political families hamper effective governance? While experience can be valuable, critics argue that a diversified cabinet—one that incorporates fresh talent and community‑based perspectives—would better address the complex challenges Bihar faces, from irrigation and infrastructure to education and digital inclusion.

Conclusion

The RJD’s scathing review of Bihar’s new NDA‑led cabinet underscores the deep‑seated frustration among a segment of voters who believe that dynastic politics continue to dominate the state’s political process. By cataloguing ten ministers whose family ties trace back to the state’s political elites, the RJD has presented a clear narrative of “nepotism versus merit.” Whether this narrative will translate into electoral gains remains to be seen, but it undeniably adds another layer to the political discourse that has shaped Bihar’s governance over the past two decades.