In a sharp attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday claimed that Nitish Kumar has been “hijacked” by the BJP and declared that the NDA will not return to power in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, Tejashwi Yadav said, "We had a meeting and had positive discussions. We will meet again on 17 April in Patna and are determined to take Bihar forward. The Centre is doling out a step-brotherly treatment and even after 20 years of NDA rule, it remains the poorest state. Nitish ji has been hijacked and NDA will not come back to power."

The meeting between RJD and Congress was focused on finalising the seat-sharing formula for the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar. A second round of discussions is scheduled to be held in Patna on April 17, Yadav confirmed.

On being asked about the alliance's chief ministerial face, Yadav stated that the RJD and Congress would take a unanimous decision at a later stage, indicating that poll strategy and leadership questions will be finalised in the next meeting.

The Bihar Assembly elections later this year are shaping up to be a high-voltage political contest between the NDA — comprising the Janata Dal (United) led by Nitish Kumar and the BJP — and the opposition alliance of RJD, Congress, and Left parties.