Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. File Photo
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to move to the Rajya Sabha and may resign from his post any time after March 16. Following his resignation, a new Chief Minister is expected to be sworn in. The development has raised questions about whether Nitish Kumar will completely step away from Bihar politics.
Responding to the speculation, senior minister and prominent leader of Janata Dal (United), Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, clarified that Nitish Kumar will continue to play a crucial role in the state’s political landscape and government.
Chaudhary said Nitish Kumar is not only the widely accepted leader of the JD(U) but also of the ruling alliance. “His decision to move to national politics has been taken with the consensus of all alliance partners. His role will remain significant as he will continue to be our leader,” he said.
He added that the selection of ministers from the JD(U) quota in the new government would also be decided by Nitish Kumar.
On the entry of Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar into the party, Chaudhary said it was at the request of party leaders that he joined active politics. “He enjoys broad acceptance within the party and will meet workers, legislators and office-bearers across all districts,” he said.
Chaudhary further asserted that decisions regarding who will be made ministers from the JD(U) would continue to be taken by Nitish Kumar. “Even if he is no longer the Chief Minister, he will remain the leader,” he said, adding that Nishant Kumar would soon begin interacting with people across the state.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have dismissed the claims and alleged that the JD(U)’s political future is uncertain. Party spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party had orchestrated a political conspiracy to remove Nitish Kumar from the Chief Minister’s post.
Tiwari alleged that the BJP facilitated Nishant Kumar’s entry into politics and would eventually push him out as well. “This is an attempt to finish the JD(U),” he said.
For months, speculation had been rife about Nishant Kumar entering politics. On Sunday, he formally joined the JD(U) at the party office. Though Nitish Kumar was not present at the event, Nishant later visited the Chief Minister’s residence to seek his father’s blessings.
There is also speculation that Nishant Kumar could either be appointed the national president of the JD(U) or made Deputy Chief Minister in the new government.
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