A political storm erupted in Bihar after senior leader Nitish Kumar filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha, with workers of his own party taking to the streets in protest and urging him to withdraw the decision.
The protests broke out a day after the Bihar Chief Minister and president of Janata Dal (United) formally filed his papers for the Upper House. Party workers gathered outside the JD(U) state office in Patna on Friday, demanding that Kumar reconsider the move which many described as unexpected and controversial.
Many demonstrators claimed the decision to send the veteran leader to the Rajya Sabha was part of a “political conspiracy” aimed at pushing him away from the state’s leadership.
JD(U) Workers Launch Postcard Campaign
As part of the protest, JD(U) workers started a unique campaign by writing postcards addressed directly to Nitish Kumar. Through these messages, supporters appealed to the Chief Minister to rethink his decision and continue leading Bihar.
Large posters were also put up across Patna requesting the veteran leader not to move to the Upper House. Protesters argued that Kumar’s leadership remains crucial for the state’s political stability.
The demonstrations highlighted growing unease within sections of the party, who fear that his shift to the Rajya Sabha could signal a major change in Bihar’s political leadership.
Controversy Over Poster of Narendra Modi
The protest took a controversial turn when a group of individuals, allegedly JD(U) supporters, were seen blackening a poster of Narendra Modi.
However, Bihar JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha quickly distanced the party from the incident. Speaking to reporters, Kushwaha said the people involved were not genuine JD(U) members.
He emphasised that party workers would never engage in such actions and insisted the organisation respects all political leaders.
Security Tightened Around Chief Minister’s Residence
With tensions rising in the state capital, authorities tightened security around the chief minister’s official residence at 1, Anne Marg.
Police presence was increased as protests continued outside the party office amid the charged political atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar convened a crucial meeting of JD(U) MPs, MLAs and MLCs to discuss the unfolding situation.
Key Leaders Meet Nitish Kumar
During the day, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Ministers, including Vijay Kumar Sinha, met Nitish Kumar and reportedly discussed political developments and the possible formation of the next government in the state.
At the same time, JD(U) MLA Vinay Chaudhary publicly questioned the timing of the decision. He said it was unclear what had changed in just three months to trigger such a major political move.
“We will express our views frankly in the meeting,” Chaudhary said, indicating that internal discussions within the party are likely to be intense.
Political Uncertainty Grows in Bihar
Nitish Kumar’s decision to move to the Rajya Sabha has sparked speculation about the future political direction of Bihar and the leadership of the JD(U). The protests by party workers suggest that the decision has not been universally accepted within the organisation.
With crucial meetings underway and political tensions rising, the coming days could determine whether Kumar proceeds with his Rajya Sabha move or reconsiders under pressure from within his own party.
