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The claim that Nitish Kumar met with Lalu Prasad Yadav prior to his recent swearing-in ceremony as Bihar’s Chief Minister has been debunked as false, according to a fact-check investigation.
Social media posts showing Nitish Kumar visiting Lalu Yadav’s residence began circulating shortly after Kumar took oath to form a new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar. These posts, including a video and several photos shared by an Instagram account with over 111,000 followers, suggested that Kumar had paid a visit to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief before the ceremony.
However, a thorough investigation revealed that the media used in these posts is significantly outdated and being presented in a misleading context. The viral video actually dates back to January 15, 2024, when Kumar visited Lalu Yadav’s residence during Makar Sankranti celebrations. At that time, Kumar was heading the Grand Alliance government with Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu’s son, serving as Deputy Chief Minister.
Multiple credible news sources, including Dainik Jagran and Amar Ujala, had documented this January visit at the time. The video shows Tejashwi Yadav personally welcoming Kumar to the traditional Dahi-Chuda feast hosted at the Yadav residence, a common cultural practice during the harvest festival.
Similarly, the viral photograph being circulated is from August 2022. News reports from NDTV confirm that Kumar had visited Lalu Yadav at his Patna residence on August 17, 2022, accompanied by Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav. Tejashwi had even shared images from this meeting on his official social media accounts at that time.
The misleading nature of these posts becomes apparent when considering the political context. In recent years, Bihar’s political landscape has seen dramatic shifts in alliances, with Kumar switching between the NDA (led by BJP) and the Grand Alliance (including RJD). The most recent transition occurred when Kumar broke away from his alliance with RJD to return to the NDA fold, making a pre-oath meeting with Lalu Yadav politically improbable.
Journalists on the ground have further confirmed the falsehood of these claims. Prashant Kumar, a reporter with Dainik Jagran in Patna, verified that no such meeting took place before the latest swearing-in ceremony. Additionally, extensive media coverage of Kumar’s activities leading up to the ceremony on November 21, 2025, at Gandhi Maidan in Patna made no mention of any visit to the Yadav residence.
The oath-taking event was a high-profile affair attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union Ministers, and multiple BJP Chief Ministers from other states. Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers alongside Kumar, who assumed the Chief Minister’s role for an unprecedented tenth time.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation surrounding political events in India, particularly during periods of government formation or alliance shifts. The account that spread the misleading claim appears to be ideologically motivated, according to fact-checkers who reviewed its content patterns.
As Bihar enters a new political chapter under Kumar’s leadership within the NDA framework, the circulation of such dated media with false contexts underscores the importance of critical media consumption and fact-verification in the digital age.
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18 Comments
I’m glad to see this claim was thoroughly investigated and debunked. Fact-checking is essential for maintaining the integrity of our public discourse and democratic institutions. It’s a valuable service that helps combat the spread of misinformation.
Well said. Fact-checking is a crucial safeguard against the proliferation of false narratives, which can have serious consequences for public trust and informed decision-making. It’s an important tool for upholding journalistic standards and protecting the public interest.
This highlights the need for caution when consuming news online. Social media can be a breeding ground for unverified claims. It’s always wise to cross-reference information from credible sources before believing or sharing it.
Absolutely. Fact-checking plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the public discourse. It’s an important safeguard against the spread of misinformation.
The ability to quickly fact-check claims is crucial in our information-saturated world. It’s encouraging to see disinformation being called out and corrected. This helps maintain trust in our institutions and democratic processes.
Well said. Fact-checking is a vital service that promotes transparency and accountability. It’s an important safeguard against the spread of misinformation, which can have serious consequences.
It’s good to see the media taking the time to investigate this claim thoroughly. Debunking false narratives is important for upholding journalistic integrity and ensuring the public has access to accurate information.
I agree. Fact-checking is essential in today’s media landscape, where misinformation can spread rapidly online. It helps maintain trust in our institutions and democratic processes.
This is a good example of how social media can be used to spread false narratives. I’m glad the claim was swiftly debunked through a thorough investigation. It’s a reminder to always approach online information with a critical eye.
Absolutely. Fact-checking is essential for separating truth from fiction in the digital age. It’s a valuable tool for preserving the integrity of news reporting and public discourse.
It’s refreshing to see a thorough investigation that sets the record straight. In today’s digital age, the proliferation of unverified claims on social media is a real challenge. Kudos to the fact-checkers for their diligence.
I agree. Fact-checking is a vital service that helps combat the spread of misinformation. It’s an important safeguard for maintaining trust in our institutions and democratic processes.
Interesting development. It’s good to see fact-checking investigations debunking misleading claims on social media. Spreading misinformation can undermine public trust, so it’s important to verify information before sharing it widely.
Agreed. Separating fact from fiction is crucial, especially when it comes to political news. Fact-checking helps ensure citizens have accurate information to make informed decisions.
I’m glad the alleged visit was debunked as false. Spreading misinformation, even inadvertently, can have serious consequences. It’s crucial that news reporting remains objective and well-researched.
Well said. Responsible journalism is essential for a healthy democracy. Fact-checking helps ensure the public receives accurate and reliable information.
This serves as a reminder to be cautious about what we see and read on social media. It’s always wise to verify information from credible sources before sharing or believing it. Fact-checking is a crucial tool for combating the spread of misinformation.
Absolutely. In the digital age, it’s more important than ever to think critically about the information we consume and share. Fact-checking helps ensure the public has access to reliable, accurate news and reporting.