Amit Shah Lauds Nitish Kumar's Legacy as Bihar CM Ahead of Rajya Sabha Nomination
In a significant political development in Patna, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday declared that the tenure of Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister of Bihar will be remembered as a golden period in the state's history. Shah made these remarks while accompanying Kumar and other NDA candidates as they filed their nomination papers for five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar, which are set to become vacant on April 9.
Praise for Development and Integrity
Amit Shah emphasized that from 2005 to the present day, Nitish Kumar has led Bihar with remarkable success. "His tenure has been exceptionally successful and will be recorded as a golden page in the annals of Bihar. Perhaps no other politician has achieved what Nitish Kumar ji has accomplished," Shah stated. He highlighted key achievements under Kumar's leadership:
- Ending the era of jungle raj and bringing stability to the state.
- Accelerating development across all sectors to foster growth.
- Connecting villages with roads to improve infrastructure and accessibility.
- Ensuring electricity supply reaches every household in Bihar, a monumental contribution to rural and urban development.
Shah added that it is rare for a politician to maintain an unblemished record over such a long career, noting Kumar's involvement since the JP movement in 1974. "A long political journey without being accused of corruption throughout his life," he remarked, praising Kumar's simplicity, purity, and high values in public life.
Rajya Sabha Nomination and Political Implications
Nitish Kumar, who also serves as the national president of the JD(U), filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha election scheduled for March 16. This move ends speculation about his continuation as Bihar Chief Minister and marks his return to national politics after a long hiatus. Shah welcomed Kumar to the Rajya Sabha, stating, "The Bihar CM will once again enter the national politics as a Rajya Sabha member after a very long time."
The nomination process saw national presidents of three political parties—BJP, JD(U), and RLM—filing together as NDA candidates, a first in Bihar's political landscape. Other candidates included BJP national president Nitin Nabin, RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha, Ram Nath Thakur, and Shivesh Kumar. Shah, who was welcomed at Patna airport by top BJP state leaders and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, reiterated that Kumar has never been tainted during his long stints as MLA, MP, Union minister, and Chief Minister.
Collaboration with Central Government
Shah also acknowledged Kumar's role in implementing central schemes and funds in Bihar over the past 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "Nitish has made a significant contribution towards taking Bihar forward in every way and implemented all the schemes and funds sent for Bihar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. Upon arrival in Patna, Shah, along with Nitin Nabin, met Kumar at his official residence before proceeding to the Vidhan Sabha premises for the nomination filings in the afternoon.
While Shah did not comment on whether Kumar would hold a major position at the Centre, he expressed confidence that the people of Bihar will always remember and respect Kumar's tenure. Regarding Nitin Nabin's nomination, Shah noted that all NDA members and crores of BJP workers welcome him to national politics and Parliament.
This development signals a potential shift in Bihar's leadership, with the BJP likely to have its own Chief Minister for the first time this month, as Kumar transitions to a national role in the Rajya Sabha.
