Speculation intensifies over new govt formation in Bihar

Patna: Speculation about the formation of a new govt in Bihar intensified again on Saturday after some JD(U) functionaries said CM Nitish Kumar would vacate his seat in the Bihar legislative council on Monday (March 30) to enter the Rajya Sabha.Sources in the NDA also said Nitish may take oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha on April 10 along with four other leaders — BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Union minister Ram Nath Thakur, RLM president Upendra Kushwaha and BJP state general secretary Shivesh Kumar — who have also been elected to the Upper House of Parliament from Bihar.With Nitish now expected to enter the Rajya Sabha, speculation has intensified about when a new govt may be formed in the state.

While some senior BJP leaders believe Nitish may resign as chief minister days or weeks after entering the Rajya Sabha, leaders in JD(U) argue that he does not need to relinquish the post immediately even after taking oath as a member of Parliament.“As per the provisions in Article 164(4) of the Indian Constitution, Nitish can continue as the chief minister for the next six months even while not being a member of any house of the state legislature,” a JD(U) leader said, arguing that the chief minister is not expected to relinquish the post in haste.

However, BJP leaders believe Nitish may vacate the CM’s post in mid-April, soon after the end of the ongoing ‘Khar-mas’ (an inauspicious month) on April 14, and that a new govt may take oath within a day or two.Meanwhile, a section of JD(U) workers on Saturday put up posters in Patna projecting Nitish’s son Nishant Kumar as the future chief minister of Bihar. One such poster was put up at the main entrance gate of the JD(U)’s state office.The poster also urged Nitish not to leave Bihar. The messaging indicates that many supporters are not in favour of him leaving the CM’s post, but if he does, they want his political legacy to remain within the family.They want Nishant to be made the next CM if his father relinquishes the post.Adding to the speculation, Nishant has recently become more active in public life. After formally joining JD(U) on March 8 this year, he has been regularly attending party meetings and public events in Patna, signalling a possible shift in his political role.JD(U) neta coins ‘Jai Nishant, Tay Nishant’ slogan: Speaking about Nishant Kumar’s role in JD(U), party spokesperson and former minister Neeraj Kumar on Saturday coined a new slogan — “Jai Nishant, Tay Nishant” (Nishant has been finalised).In a video statement, Neeraj said, “The future of JD(U) is now in the hands of Nishant Kumar. The well-wishers of every party want to see their leader on higher posts. Nishant Kumar Ji is the son of that statesman who was declared as a ‘climate leader and global thinker.’

We too want Nishant to reach at the climax.”“But who will be the next chief minister, though we have a right to express our views, it will be decided by consensus among the NDA allies in the state,” Neeraj said.Quoting BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Neeraj also said that whatever govt would be formed in Bihar would run on the basis of the ‘Nitish model’.“It is the Nitish model which is the model of love of the people of Bihar,” the JD(U) leader asserted.