Nitish Kumar is not going to Rajya Sabha now, say NDA leaders

NDA leaders have dismissed the possibility of Nitish Kumar quitting the Bihar chief minister’s post and becoming a member of Rajya Sabha.

Massive speculation had erupted after Kumar had during an informal chat with journalists in an area falling under the now-abolished Barh Lok Sabha constituency which he had represented many times, said that he had been a member of the Lok Sabha, Bihar assembly and the Bihar legislative council, and expressed his wish that if he became a member of the Rajya Sabha, his political journey would be complete.

The media went into a tizzy, speculating that Kumar could vacate the chief minister’s post and move to the Rajya Sabha. Some even rumoured that he could be made the Vice-President of India after the current VP Venkaiah Naidu’s term ends in a few months. The Vice-President is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha and manages its proceedings.

Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha, of Kumar’s JD(U), called the speculation mischievous and far from the truth.

“Nitish Kumar was the face of the NDA in 2020 assembly elections in Bihar and the people voted the alliance to power. His unwavering commitment to serving the people and his ability to transform Bihar are sacrosanct. I urge all to desist from such propaganda,” said Jha. He added Kumar will complete his term.

Nitish’s deputy, Tarkishore Prasad of BJP, said the chief minister has been instrumental in transforming Bihar. He called it improper to suggest Kumar is quitting. “This is just speculation,” added Prasad.

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Nitish Kumar has however clarified he did not intend to become a member of the Rajya Sabha.

BJP lawmaker Vijay Bihari earlier this week had said that Kumar doesn’t have the charisma he had during the first term. “This is why the JD(U)’s tally in the assembly has shrunk. Tarkishore Prasad shall be made the chief minister.”

However, according to speculation, he is one of the frontrunners for the CM’s post from the BJP if Kumar vacates.

In the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, BJP had won more seats than the JD(U), and Nitish Kumar had offered to resign, but BJP leaders insisted that he continue in the post. Many state BJP leaders are hoping that the party leadership would now make one of them the CM.

Other front-runners include Nityanand Rai, the Minister of State for Home known to be trusted by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, whose elevation brings the promise of breaching the sway of the RJD, the main opposition party, over the sizeable Yadav community.

Also read: Oppn paralyses Bihar assembly over Nitish’s slight of Speaker

Opposition RJD’s Rabri Devi however welcomed the idea of Nitish Kumar, her husband Lalu Prasad’s arch-rival, vacating his chair for a Rajya Sabha member post or a plush assignment in Delhi.

“He should go. Everyone would like him to go away,” she said.

To a pointed query about speculations that Kumar could emerge as the BJP’s choice for the post of Vice-President after the expiry of Venkaiah Naidu’s term in a few months, the reticent Rabri Devi repied “Will it not be good for him?”

Her son and former deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav Kumar is tired and should retire.

Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra said Kumar’s stay in Bihar or shift to the Centre was the NDA’s prerogative. “Other political parties shall stay away from adding fuel to the speculation…”