Patna: Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi has criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying he is unable to control the rising crime in the state. Speaking to journalists in Patna, she said that Nitish Kumar, who is also the Home Minister, has failed to handle law and order. “Crime has increased everywhere in Bihar. If Nitish Kumar cannot handle it, then he should make his son Nishant the Chief Minister,” she said.
Her statement came a day after Nishant Kumar’s birthday. On this occasion, former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha also advised Nitish Kumar to hand over the leadership of JDU to his son. Kushwaha posted on social media, wishing Nishant a happy birthday and calling him the new hope of JDU. He said that Nitish Kumar should understand that it is no longer right for him to run both the party and the government and that he should take a decision soon for the future of his party.
Rabri Devi also raised questions about the voter verification process before the Bihar elections. She said names of genuine voters were being deleted. “Is the person whose name is deleted not a citizen of Bihar or India?” she asked. Rabri Devi claimed that the names of around three crore people who work outside Bihar have been removed and demanded that the Election Commission ensure their voter ID cards are made properly.
Earlier this year, Rabri Devi had made similar comments when a controversy arose about Nitish Kumar’s movement during the national anthem. At that time too, she said if Nitish Kumar was not able to handle things, his son or someone else should be made the Chief Minister. As the assembly elections near, discussions around Nitish Kumar’s political legacy and his son’s future role have started to intensify in Bihar.
