Amid political upheavals in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections on Thursday. Along with him, four other candidates of the ruling alliance filed their nominations.
BJP National President Nitin Nabin, BJP leader Shivesh Kumar, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) President Upendra Kushwaha, and JD(U) leader Ramnath Thakur, son of Karpoori Thakur, submitted their nominations to the election commission.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several senior leaders of the alliance were present on the occasion.
Nitish Kumar’s decision to move to the Rajya Sabha has created a major stir in Bihar’s politics. Earlier, there was speculation that his son Nishant might be nominated for the seat. However, as he has often done in the past, Kumar surprised both party members and the people of Bihar by announcing that he himself would go to the Rajya Sabha.
Speaking to the media after the nominations were filed, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Nitish Kumar’s tenure as Chief Minister would be written in golden letters in Bihar’s history. “During his tenure, Nitish Kumar freed the state from ‘jungle raj’ and built an extensive network of roads. Under his leadership, the state witnessed many important schemes and development projects. The people of Bihar will remember Nitish Kumar’s contributions for a long time,” he said.
He also recalled that Nitish Kumar was among the prominent leaders associated with the JP Movement of 1974, and since then he has tried to follow the principles of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan. He said Nitish Kumar has always upheld simplicity, integrity, and high values in public life. “Nitish Kumar’s tenure has always been spotless, and the work he has done as Chief Minister will always be remembered and respected by the people of Bihar. With his entry into the Rajya Sabha, a new direction may be seen in Bihar’s politics,” he said.
Congratulating Nitin Nabin, the Union home minister said he and BJP workers welcome Nitin Nabin to Parliament. After a long and successful political career in the state, he will now make an important contribution in the House as well.
Nitin Nabin said, “Bihar and my constituency hold a special place in my life. A person can never truly grow by abandoning his roots. Bihar is my soil. Nurturing this land and keeping it fertile is something deeply rooted in my soul. I believe that wherever I go in life, my constituency will always remain with me.”