RJD MP Abhay Kushwaha denies BJP switch, pledges loyalty to Lalu and Tejashwi
Synopsis
RJD MP Abhay Kushwaha's meeting with Bihar CM Samrat Chaudhary set off defection alarm bells — but Kushwaha fired back fast, calling the BJP rumours baseless and declaring the RJD his 'last political party.' The episode reveals how routine constituency work can detonate in Bihar's hyper-charged political atmosphere.
Key Takeaways
RJD MP Abhay Kushwaha from Aurangabad denied BJP-join rumours on 17 July at a press conference in Patna .
Kushwaha called the Rashtriya Janata Dal his 'last political party' and pledged loyalty to Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav .
His meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary was to discuss infrastructure projects, including a road from Banke Bazar, Gaya to Madanpur and upgrading National Highway-139 to a four-lane corridor.
Kushwaha is the RJD Parliamentary Party leader and has previously served as MLA from Tikari and panchayat head for ten years .
He stated he cannot imagine joining any other party even beyond the next Lok Sabha election .
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP from Aurangabad, Abhay Kushwaha, on 17 July categorically rejected rumours of his impending defection to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reaffirming his unconditional loyalty to party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav. The denial came amid swirling speculation in Bihar political circles over his recent meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary.
What Sparked the Speculation
Kushwaha's meeting with Chief Minister Chaudhary — who leads the BJP-backed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar — triggered conjecture about a possible political realignment. The RJD MP, who also serves as the RJD Parliamentary Party leader, moved quickly to quash those inferences at a press conference in Patna.
'The Chief Minister represents the entire state, not any particular party or caste. I met him only to discuss development works in my constituency. There is nothing political about the meeting,' Kushwaha said.
Kushwaha's Political Journey and RJD Commitment
Kushwaha traced his political roots to socialist ideology, recalling that his public life began as a Mukhiya (panchayat head) for ten years, followed by a term as MLA from Tikari, before he reached the Lok Sabha representing Aurangabad. He credited the RJD with recognising his contributions and elevating him to a leadership role within the parliamentary party.
'Rashtriya Janata Dal is my last political party. There is no question of leaving it. The party has shown me immense respect by appointing me as the leader of the parliamentary party and entrusting me with important responsibilities. I will continue to honour that trust,' he said.
Kushwaha added that not just for the next Lok Sabha election but in the foreseeable future, he cannot envision belonging to any party other than the RJD.
The Development Agenda Behind the CM Meeting
Kushwaha clarified that his interaction with Chief Minister Chaudhary was driven entirely by constituency needs. He said he raised the proposal for a road connecting Banke Bazar in Gaya district to Madanpur through a forested corridor, and also pushed for the long-pending upgrade of a State Highway and National Highway-139 into a four-lane corridor.
He argued that an elected representative's duty includes engaging with the state government — regardless of its political colour — to advance infrastructure development for constituents.
Broader Context: Bihar's Fluid Political Landscape
Bihar's political terrain has seen frequent realignments in recent years, making any cross-party interaction a flashpoint for speculation. This comes amid the RJD's efforts to consolidate its opposition base ahead of future electoral contests, with Tejashwi Yadav leading the charge against the ruling NDA coalition. Notably, defection rumours targeting opposition MPs have become a recurring feature of Bihar politics, and the RJD has been particularly vigilant about retaining its parliamentary strength.
Kushwaha's emphatic public rebuttal signals the RJD's intent to pre-empt any narrative of internal fragmentation before it gains traction.
Point of View
Designed to unsettle opposition ranks ahead of electoral cycles. Kushwaha's swift and unusually detailed rebuttal suggests the RJD views the speculation as serious enough to warrant a pre-emptive public statement rather than quiet denial. What is notable is the framing: by invoking his decade as a panchayat head and his rise through the RJD, Kushwaha is not just denying a switch — he is reasserting ideological identity in a state where caste arithmetic and party loyalty are inseparable. The BJP, for its part, has not confirmed any outreach, leaving the episode as a one-sided denial — which, in Bihar politics, is sometimes enough to shape the narrative.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Abhay Kushwaha deny joining the BJP?
Abhay Kushwaha denied BJP-join rumours on 17 July after speculation arose over his meeting with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary. He clarified the meeting was purely to discuss infrastructure development in his Aurangabad constituency and had no political dimension.
What did Abhay Kushwaha say about the RJD?
Kushwaha declared that the Rashtriya Janata Dal is his 'last political party' and that there is no question of leaving it. He said the party had honoured him by making him the RJD Parliamentary Party leader and he intends to honour that trust.
Why did Abhay Kushwaha meet Bihar CM Samrat Chaudhary?
The meeting was to advance constituency development projects, including a proposed road linking Banke Bazar in Gaya district to Madanpur through a forest area, and the upgrade of a State Highway and National Highway-139 to a four-lane corridor.
Who is Abhay Kushwaha?
Abhay Kushwaha is the RJD MP from Aurangabad in Bihar and serves as the RJD Parliamentary Party leader. He previously served as MLA from Tikari and spent ten years as a panchayat Mukhiya before entering state and national legislature.
What is the political significance of the BJP rumours around Kushwaha?
The rumours reflect Bihar's volatile political environment, where cross-party meetings are frequently read as signals of realignment. The RJD is keen to project unity ahead of future elections, making Kushwaha's public denial a strategic move to neutralise any opposition narrative of internal dissent.
