Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday described Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s over two-decade rule as a golden period for Bihar, as the latter filed his nomination in the Rajya Sabha.
“It is unprecedented for any political leader to have an impeccable career even after four decades of public life, when he has served in various capacities as a Union Minister and Chief Minister of Bihar since 2005. His tenure was very successful, and he delivered the Jungle Raj state. He also ensured road and electricity connectivity across the state. Rashtriya Lok Morcha Upendra Kushwaha, BJP leader, said, as Kumar filed his nomination along with BJP president Nitin Nabin. Shivish Kumar and Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur.
Shah said Kumar lived by the principles of socialist leader Jai Prakash Narayan, as a product of the JP movement, with a clean record. “He maintained simplicity and highest standards in public life. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he contributed greatly in taking Bihar forward. Under him, all central schemes reached the masses.”
He said Nabin became the BJP president and was nominated for the Rajya Sabha chairmanship after successful state politics for a long time. “We welcome his entry into Parliament and into national politics.”
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance returned to power in Bihar in 2025, winning 202 of the 243 seats, meaning it could win four of the five Rajya Sabha seats with ease. As for the fifth, it is less than three votes. Each candidate needs 41 votes to win.
For the fifth seat, Kushwaha will contest against Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Amarendra Dhare Singh, who also filed his nomination on Thursday. Even abstaining from voting would harm Singh’s prospects.
Elections to Rajya Sabha seats are scheduled to be held on March 16. Nomination papers will be examined on March 6. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until March 9.
