Posters advocating for the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have appeared across Patna, leading to significant discussions about his leadership and the political climate within the state. These posters, prominently placed by the Janata Dal (United) party, include messages touting Kumar as the "renowned socialist man of Bihar" who deserves this prestigious recognition.
Notably, one such poster graced the entrance of the JD(U) office on Birchand Patel Marg, coinciding with Kumar's attendance at the party's state executive meeting. A senior JD(U) leader, speaking anonymously, indicated the demand for Bharat Ratna isn't officially endorsed by the party but reflects the sentiments of the party members. "Deep within every JD(U) worker believes Nitish Kumar deserves the highest honour," they remarked.
Nitish Kumar, who has been at the helm of Bihar's governance since 2005 - barring a brief interruption - is gearing up to lead the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the upcoming assembly polls. His long tenure as chief minister is often praised by party leaders, positioning him as the architect of Bihar's development over nearly two decades. Despite briefly handing over the reins to Jitan Ram Manjhi, who now serves as a Union minister, Kumar has enacted various reforms since returning to power.
The move to erect these posters has also generated backlash from opposition parties, particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). RJD leaders accuss the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of pressuring Kumar to resign, claiming the posters indicate uncertainty within the JD(U). RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwary suggested these displays of support stem from internal discord within Nitish Kumar's camp. "Nitish Kumar is under pressure from the BJP to vacate his chair," Tiwary stated, framing the posters as evidence of the JD(U)'s disarray.
While the demand for Bharat Ratna appears to be originating primarily from individual party members and may not have greater support, it nevertheless raises questions about party consolidation and Kumar's standing among his own supporters. The timing is also noteworthy; the Bihar assembly elections loom on the horizon, and securing loyalty among party ranks could be increasingly important.
Nitish Kumar's government has focused on several key initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions within the state. One of his most notable achievements has been the implementation of 50 percent women’s reservation in the Panchayati Raj institutions, aimed at increasing female representation and empowering women at local governance levels.
He is also known for enforcing a liquor ban across the state, which has been both praised and criticized, reflecting his commitment to social reforms. His leadership has spotlighted socialist values, intertwining them with governance and public policy.
Prior to his extensive tenure as chief minister, Kumar served as a Union Minister during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration. He held significant portfolios, including Railways and Agriculture, where he was credited with pushing for improved safety measures and modernizing rail infrastructure. Implementing progressive reforms during his ministerial tenure laid the groundwork for his later political successes.
Attending the latest JD(U) meeting, Kumar faced fresh scrutiny amid swirling political narratives. The meeting drew key figures from the party, like working president Sanjay Kumar Jha and national vice president Basistha Narain Singh, as they sought to consolidate support and leverage the pressure to strengthen Kumar's position. The posters demanding Bharat Ratna may underpin these discussions and efforts to unify party members.
With the BJP and RJD both actively engaging with the narrative around Kumar's political longevity and performance, the atmosphere within Bihar politics remains charged. The endless cycles of political maneuvering and the pressures on Kumar’s leadership will likely resonate as the state heads to the polls.
Posters calling for the Bharat Ratna award encapsulate the dual nature of Bihar's political scene, both championing Kumar’s achievements and signaling possible vulnerabilities as opposition scrutiny intensifies. While the push for such recognition hails from within JD(U), it also unveils the underlying dynamics at play as Kumar navigates the final lead-up to the electoral contest.
