Amid intense political developments in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections.
All five candidates of the ruling alliance, including Nitin Nabin, Shivesh Kumar Ram and Upendra Kushwaha, also submitted their nominations the same day. Several senior NDA leaders were present during the filing process, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Patna from New Delhi.
However, the development triggered unrest among a section of Janata Dal (United) leaders and workers. Protesters gathered outside the Chief Minister's residence, raising slogans against the BJP and alleging a conspiracy to sideline Nitish Kumar.
As Amit Shah left the residence alongside Nitish Kumar, some JD(U) workers shouted slogans such as "Down with Amit Shah" and accused the BJP of attempting to weaken the party through what they described as 'Operation Lotus'. Earlier, a BJP minister in the Bihar government also faced protests and had to leave the area amid the commotion.
Some JD(U) supporters alleged that pressure was being exerted on Nitish Kumar to shift to national politics, claiming the BJP intends to assume direct leadership in Bihar despite the Assembly elections being fought in his name.
Reacting to the development, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav said public sentiment was against a change in leadership and alleged that the BJP had already prepared a plan to remove Nitish Kumar.
Tejashwi recalled the campaign slogan projecting Nitish Kumar's leadership beyond 2025 and questioned the decision to move him to the Rajya Sabha without public consultation. He further alleged that the BJP follows a strategy of weakening its allies before asserting political dominance, citing examples from alliances involving the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab.
The Congress also criticised the move. Speaking to IANS, Congress leader Udit Raj said Nitish Kumar's decision reflects a betrayal of the people who supported him.
"Nitish Kumar is going to betray the people. He became a leader because of the Economically Backward Class (EBC) community, but in the last 20 years he has given them nothing," Raj said.
He alleged that no significant steps were taken for the upliftment of the community during Kumar's tenure and questioned what role he would play in the Rajya Sabha after serving as Chief Minister.
Another Congress leader, Surendra Rajput, urged the NDA to respect the public mandate, saying the alliance had sought votes by projecting Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister.
Earlier in the day, Nitish Kumar addressed the people of the state on social media platform X. He said that for more than two decades the people of Bihar have consistently supported him, enabling him to serve the state with dedication.
He credited the public's faith for Bihar's progress and said that since the beginning of his parliamentary career he had aspired to become a member of both Houses of the Legislature and Parliament. In that spirit, he announced his decision to contest the Rajya Sabha elections.
Assuring continued commitment to the state, he said his relationship with the people of Bihar would remain intact and that he would continue working towards building a developed Bihar. He also said he would extend full support and guidance to the new government that would be formed.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated as the Janata Dal (United) office in Patna was vandalised by angry party workers protesting Nitish Kumar's move to the Rajya Sabha. Visuals showing broken furniture and damaged property at the office went viral on social media.
The incident occurred ahead of Kumar's nomination filing and comes just four months after he was sworn in for a record tenth term as Bihar Chief Minister.
Supporters gathered outside the party office raising slogans and expressing anger amid speculation over who might succeed Nitish Kumar if he steps down to take up a seat in Parliament's Upper House.
Security was tightened around the Chief Minister's residence, with a large number of police personnel deployed and patrols intensified in the surrounding areas.
The development marks a significant turning point in Bihar's political landscape, as Nitish Kumar's shift to the Rajya Sabha could reshape the state's leadership structure and signal a new phase in his political journey.
(With inputs from IANS)
