New Delhi: The political landscape in New Delhi and Bihar witnessed a significant churn on Friday as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha, triggering a wave of reactions from leaders across the political spectrum, ranging from praise by NDA allies to sharp criticism by opposition parties.
Welcoming Nitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha membership, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha lauded the Chief Minister’s leadership, saying that Bihar had witnessed steady progress under him.
“He (Nitish Kumar) has been our (NDA) leader; under his leadership, Bihar has progressed. He led the NDA government in taking Bihar from good governance towards prosperity. Every NDA worker is proud today,” Deputy CM Sinha said.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh described Nitish Kumar’s entry in Rajya Sabha as a significant and celebratory occasion.
“What could be a more joyous moment than this,” he said, hailing Nitish Kumar’s move to the Upper House and underscoring his continued relevance in national politics.
Giriraj Singh further drew a contrast with previous governments in Bihar, asserting that Nitish Kumar’s 20-year tenure would be “written in golden letters” for establishing a harmonious society and ensuring development.
In contrast, Union Minister Singh criticised the 15-year rule of Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, alleging it would be remembered as a period of “jungle raj” marked by crime and lawlessness.
Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) Chief Upendra Kushwaha extended his congratulations, expressing optimism about Nitish Kumar’s new role.
“He (Nitish Kumar) has my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for this new beginning (as a Rajya Sabha member). Now, while staying in Delhi, Nitish Kumar will serve Bihar and the nation as a Rajya Sabha member,” Kushwaha said.
However, Opposition INDIA bloc leaders raised concerns over the implications of Nitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha move.
RJD leader and Bihar’s Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Tejashwi Yadav, mounted a sharp attack, alleging that Nitish Kumar’s move to the Upper House of Parliament was not voluntary.
“So what if he (Nitish Kumar) has taken an oath? Has he taken the oath as the country’s Prime Minister? We had already said that this is just a formality. He (Nitish Kumar) is doing it under pressure, even if he doesn’t want to,” Yadav said.
He also claimed that visible signs of pressure could be seen in recent public appearances by Nitish Kumar.
“You can see how much pressure there is, just look at the video footage, when the Bihar Chief Minister is giving a speech, the line gets cut, and when he is speaking in the Assembly House, the session is adjourned,” the LoP alleged.
Congress leader Husain Dalwai questioned the political fallout in Bihar, suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party had effectively sidelined Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
“We extend our congratulations, but what will happen to Bihar now? It means the BJP has succeeded in removing him (Nitish Kumar) from Bihar. This suggests Bihar will completely go into BJP’s hands, which is not a good thing,” Dalwai said.
Echoing similar apprehensions, NCP-SP leader Fauzia Khan conveyed her best wishes to the Bihar Chief Minister but raised broader concerns about the state of democracy.
“If even such big Chief Ministers start working as mere election tools of the government, what will happen to the country? This picture is visible everywhere — those who resist are being punished,” she remarked, calling it akin to an “undeclared democracy”.
(IANS)
