Nitish Kumar announces decision to leave CM post; JD(U) workers protest outside residence
Patna (The Uttam Hindu): After speculation about Nitish Kumar moving to the Rajya Sabha, anger was seen among workers of the Janata Dal (United). On Thursday, a large number of party workers gathered outside the Chief Minister’s official residence in Patna and raised slogans in support of Nitish Kumar.
Early on the morning of March 5, Nitish Kumar posted a message on social media stating that since the beginning of his parliamentary career he had always wished to become a member of both Houses of Parliament along with being a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature. He said that in the upcoming election he wishes to become a member of the Rajya Sabha. With this announcement, he indicated his decision to step down from the post of Chief Minister of Bihar.
Nitish Kumar said that he wants to assure people with complete honesty that his relationship with them will remain strong in the future as well. He added that he will continue to work with them towards the goal of building a developed Bihar. He also said that the new government that will be formed will receive his full cooperation and guidance.
However, many JD(U) workers opposed the idea of Nitish Kumar going to the Rajya Sabha. One worker said they were deeply upset and had asked for votes in every village in the name of Nitish Kumar. He claimed that after the news emerged on Wednesday, many supporters even avoided celebrating Holi.
The worker also said that leaders across the state had campaigned in Nitish Kumar’s name and questioned what was happening now. He suggested that Nishant Kumar should be sent to the Rajya Sabha while Nitish Kumar should continue the work for which people gave him the mandate.
Another JD(U) worker said no one should try to take away the mandate given to Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister. He stated that the people of Bihar want Nitish Kumar as their leader. According to him, if any party wants its own Chief Minister, it should contest elections and win the mandate from the people.
Another supporter described the move to send Nitish Kumar to the Rajya Sabha as a conspiracy and said that his stature was being underestimated. He added that the mandate of 2025 was given in the name of Nitish Kumar and it should not be ignored.
Meanwhile, Union Minister and JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh avoided giving a direct reaction to questions about Nitish Kumar. He said the decision ultimately belongs to the Chief Minister himself. According to him, Nitish Kumar founded the party and he will decide his own political future. Singh also said that the development work done in Bihar under Nitish Kumar’s leadership was beyond what many had imagined.