Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Mar 5: In a major political development in Bihar, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections, a move that has triggered intense political debate in the state.

Along with him, four other candidates from the ruling alliance — Nitin Nabin, Shivesh Kumar Ram and Upendra Kushwaha — also submitted their nomination papers the same day.

The nomination process was attended by several senior leaders of the National Democratic Alliance, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Patna from New Delhi to be present during the filing.

However, the political transition of Nitish Kumar sparked unrest among a section of workers and leaders of the Janata Dal (United). A group of party supporters gathered outside the Chief Minister’s residence, raising slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party and alleging a conspiracy to push Nitish Kumar out of active state politics.

As Amit Shah left the residence alongside Nitish Kumar, some JD(U) workers reportedly shouted slogans such as “Down with Amit Shah” and accused the BJP of trying to weaken the party through what they called “Operation Lotus”.

Earlier in the day, a BJP minister in the Bihar government also faced protests and was forced to leave the area amid the commotion.

Some JD(U) supporters alleged that pressure was being placed on Nitish Kumar to move to national politics, claiming that the BJP intends to take direct control of the state leadership even though upcoming Assembly elections are expected to be fought under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

Reacting to the developments, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav said that public sentiment in Bihar was against any leadership change and alleged that the BJP had already devised a strategy to sideline Nitish Kumar.

Tejashwi also referred to earlier campaign slogans projecting Nitish Kumar as the leader beyond 2025 and questioned the decision to send him to the Rajya Sabha without wider public discussion.

He further alleged that the BJP has a pattern of weakening its allies before asserting political dominance, citing examples from other states involving parties such as Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, and Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab.

Nitish Kumar’s entry into the Rajya Sabha marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Bihar. While leaders of the NDA projected unity during the nomination event, protests from JD(U) workers and sharp reactions from the opposition suggest that the state could witness heightened political activity in the coming days.