Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of Bihar filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections amidst ongoing political developments in the state. Alongside Nitish Kumar, four other candidates from the ruling alliance, including Nitin Nabin, Shivesh Kumar Ram, and Upendra Kushwaha, also submitted their nominations on the same day. The filing process witnessed the presence of several senior NDA leaders, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah flying in from New Delhi for the occasion.
The nomination filing marked a significant political transition for Nitish Kumar, leading to unrest among a section of Janata Dal(United) leaders and workers. Outside the Chief Minister’s residence, protesters gathered, voicing discontent against the BJP and alleging a conspiracy to sideline Nitish Kumar. As Amit Shah departed alongside Nitish Kumar, some JD(U) workers chanted slogans like “Down with Amit Shah,” accusing the BJP of trying to weaken their party through ‘Operation Lotus.’
Amid the commotion, a BJP minister in the Bihar government faced protests and had to leave the area. Some JD(U) supporters claimed that pressure was exerted on Nitish Kumar to shift to national politics, suggesting that the BJP aims to take direct leadership in Bihar despite the recent Assembly elections fought in Nitish Kumar’s name. In response, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav expressed public sentiment against a leadership change and alleged that the BJP had a premeditated plan to oust Nitish Kumar.
Tejashwi highlighted the campaign slogan projecting Nitish Kumar’s leadership beyond 2025 and questioned the decision to transition him to the Rajya Sabha without public consultation. He further accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of weakening its allies before asserting political dominance, citing similar occurrences in other states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab. Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha signifies a significant shift in Bihar’s political dynamics, with the NDA presenting a united front during the nomination despite unrest among JD(U) workers and strong reactions from the opposition, hinting at potentially crucial political developments ahead for the state.
