Supporters of Nitish Kumar gathered outside his residence in Patna on Thursday, alleging a conspiracy to sideline him from Bihar’s politics amid speculation about his possible nomination to the Rajya Sabha. The chief minister’s party, Janata Dal (United), has not yet formally announced his candidature.
The protesters raised slogans in Kumar’s support and attempted to stop vehicles carrying JD(U) legislators from entering the chief minister’s residence.
“We only want to see Nitish Kumar as the chief minister. We are against him going to the Rajya Sabha. Bihar voted in his name. We want his son Nishant to go to the Rajya Sabha instead,” said JD(U) leader Rajeev Ranjan Patel, who led the supporters.
Another party supporter alleged there was a conspiracy to remove Kumar from the chief minister’s post and warned that JD(U) workers would take to the streets if such a move was pursued. “We will not allow him to go to the Rajya Sabha,” he said.
Patel added that party workers had campaigned extensively for Kumar during the recent elections. “If he is no longer the chief minister, where will the people of Bihar go? If someone believes they have the power to change the leadership, they should hold elections and get a majority. Our only demand is that Nishant be sent to the Rajya Sabha,” he said.
JD(U) legislator Sanjay Singh echoed the sentiment, saying that while Kumar’s decision would be respected, many people in Bihar wanted him to remain chief minister.
A section of JD(U) legislators and ministers is also believed to be unhappy with the reported move to send Kumar to Parliament’s Upper House.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, an ally in the ruling National Democratic Alliance, described the matter as an internal issue of JD(U). Bihar minister Ramkripal Yadav said the decision ultimately rests with Kumar.
“The NDA is united and working together to run the government. In the last 21 years, Bihar has progressed under Nitish Kumar’s leadership,” he said.
Meanwhile, JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh said Kumar’s contributions to the state were unmatched. “Nitish Kumar has made Bihar what it is today. It is his party and his decision. He will decide where he wants to go,” he said.
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