Nitish Kumar Rajya Sabha Entry Sparks Political Debate in Bihar

Ranchi/Jamshedpur: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to enter the Rajya Sabha drew sharp criticism from his political opponents on Thursday, with the JMM calling the move an “insult” to the people’s mandate and the Congress accusing the BJP of attempting to centralise power.JMM central general secretary Vinod Pandey alleged that the BJP had committed a “political murder” of Kumar. He said the leader in whom the people of Bihar had expressed confidence during the elections was removed from the mainstream. Pandey also claimed that the BJP was conspiring to bring about the change and hinted at the possibility of a future merger between the BJP and the Janata Dal (United).Congress general secretary Alok Kumar Dubey alleged that BJP leaders had crossed all limits of political morality to head the govt in Bihar, adding that the party’s broader aim was to centralise power in the country.

RJD state spokesperson Kailash Yadav said the BJP had forced a change in the govt within months of the elections and described it as the beginning of the end of Kumar’s political career.However, BJP leader of opposition in the state assembly and former chief minister Babulal Marandi said, “The decision was not forced upon Kumar. By stepping down, he has set an example for others and created space for younger leaders.”

Adding another perspective, senior politician and JD(U) MLA Saryu Roy said Kumar had not stepped down willingly. “The way Nitish has been made to exit the chief minister’s chair does not match his stature,” he said.BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu said, “Kumar has served the people of Bihar and the country in various roles. In the Rajya Sabha, the nation will benefit from his experience.”