Elections i
New Delhi: Following a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting at the residence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi confirmed that the upcoming Bihar elections will be contested under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, and he will assume the role of Chief Minister once again.
Speaking on the political clarity post-Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit, Tyagi stated, “After Amit Shah’s visit and Nitish Kumar’s statement, the situation is now clear. JDU will continue to be part of the NDA, and the elections will be fought under Nitish Kumar’s leadership. Once we secure a majority, he will take charge as the Chief Minister.”
He also expressed gratitude to the central government for its developmental initiatives in Bihar. “The scale of investment in Bihar’s budget is unprecedented. Several airports, AIIMS facilities, infrastructure projects, irrigation schemes, and dams have been established, steering Bihar toward rapid progress,” he added.
Bihar minister Santosh Kumar Suman, son of Jitan Ram Manjhi, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Shah’s emphasis on unity within the NDA for the forthcoming elections. “Nitish Kumar is the face of the government, and top NDA leaders have affirmed that we will contest the elections under his leadership. Naturally, if we secure a majority, he will return as CM,” Suman said.
He described Amit Shah’s visit as a courtesy call, during which discussions focused on Bihar’s development, NDA’s organizational strength, and electoral strategy. “The Home Minister had one key message—unity within the NDA. All members and workers must function as a united front to maximize our electoral success,” he added.
Earlier, Nitish Kumar admitted that his decision to align with the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA bloc) twice was a mistake, vowing never to repeat it. Acknowledging former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s role in his political rise, Kumar reaffirmed his commitment to the NDA. “It was Atal Bihari Vajpayee who made me Chief Minister. How can we forget that?” he remarked at a public event in Patna.
Highlighting his administration’s efforts toward women’s empowerment, Kumar recalled that in 2006 and 2007, his government introduced elections in Panchayat Raj and civic bodies, significantly increasing women’s representation. “Four elections have taken place, and in many areas, women now hold over 50% representation. Previously, there were no dedicated initiatives for women. We expanded the Self Help Group scheme with support from the World Bank and named it ‘Jeevika.’ Now, we plan to extend it to urban areas,” he said.
Kumar also praised the central government’s role in Bihar’s development, citing financial assistance in infrastructure, industry, flood control, health, and tourism. “The 2025 budget includes the establishment of a Makhana Board and new airport projects. Major initiatives like the Kosi River project and the Patna-Ara-Sasaram four-lane corridor have also been approved,” he noted.
Recalling the state’s past struggles, Kumar pointed out that before 2005, law and order were deteriorating, with communal violence and a lack of educational and healthcare facilities. “People were afraid to step out after dark. There was no development in education or healthcare. Today, Bihar is on a path of transformation,” he asserted.
Amit Shah’s visit to Patna included the inauguration and foundation stone laying of several central and state government projects under the corporation department, further solidifying Bihar’s developmental trajectory.
