Patna: Supporters of Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have expressed anger over reports that he may move to the Rajya Sabha, triggering protests among workers of the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) in Patna. Party workers have been demonstrating outside the party office, urging their leader to reconsider the decision.
Scenes of emotional protest were witnessed earlier as several JD(U) workers were seen crying and pleading with the chief minister to withdraw the move. The unrest also led to incidents of vandalism at the party office, while protesters raised slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the JD(U)’s alliance partner.
The protests continued on the streets of the state capital, with workers putting up posters outside the JD(U) office appealing to Nitish Kumar to rethink the decision. One poster read: “Nitish Sevak is calling… the leader should reconsider his decision.” The message claimed that the people’s mandate and democratic self-respect must not be undermined.
The posters also referred to a “postcard-writing campaign” launched in the name of “Nitish Sevak” and members of the JD(U) family, urging the chief minister to honour the public mandate. The campaign was presented as an appeal from supporters who believe Nitish Kumar should continue his leadership role in Bihar.
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Meanwhile, anger was also directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Some protesters smeared black ink on posters featuring Modi’s image that were part of joint BJP-JD(U) campaign material, alleging the move to send Nitish Kumar to the Rajya Sabha was a political conspiracy.
However, state JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha denied having any knowledge of the incident. He said the party leadership was not aware of any such acts and insisted that JD(U) workers would not normally engage in such behaviour.
