Despite being the NDA allies, the BJP and the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar have not held back on taking aim at each other periodically. Which is why Union Minister Giriraj Singh’s statement that Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar be given the Bharat Ratna – the country’s highest civilian honour – has set off talks in the state’s political circles.
Singh, who has been a known critic of Nitish, told reporters in Begusarai Wednesday: “For the last 20 years, Bihar has seen a lot of developmental work. Those who have not seen the regime of (Rashtriya Janata Dal chief) Lalu Prasad should know how much work has been done (under Nitish). Nitish Kumar has taken Bihar to new heights. Even (BJD chief and ex- Odisha CM) Navin Patnaik has done great works. These two leaders should be suitably awarded. They should be given Bharat Ratna.”
His statement sprang a surprise as the BJP and the JD(U) were squaring off barely two months ago – and that too over an issue concerning Singh.
In October, Singh’s proposed “Hindu Swabhiman Yatra” — which was held in some Seemanchal areas with a significant Muslim population — was slammed by the JD(U) for being “divisive”.
“Nitish Kumar has worked for fencing temples with the same zeal that he has worked for fencing cemeteries. Our government stands for religious harmony,” JD(U) MLC Neeraj had then said.
The question is, what explains the change in Singh’s approach towards his party’s key ally?
BJP insiders said that Singh’s statement was a “reflection of how indispensable Nitish Kumar is to the BJP.” All top Bihar BJP leaders including deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and state BJP president Dilip Jaiswal have already said the NDA would contest the 2025 state Assembly polls under Nitish’s leadership.
Amidst this, sources said, Singh’s Bharat Ratna statement can be seen as an “understanding” on the BJP leader’s part that Nitish remains the “tallest NDA leader” in the state, who would be key to its campaign in the 2025 state polls.
A BJP leader said that they have no “option but to keep Kumar in good humour”. “Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha said at a function on Wednesday that the dream of former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee would be fulfilled the day Bihar has a BJP CM. But he rolled back his statement in a matter of hours, saying Nitish was a favourite of Vajpayee,” he noted.
Addressing a BJP event held to mark Vajpayee’s birth anniversary, Sinha said the BJP’s mission in Bihar was still incomplete, adding that “the true tribute to Atal ji will be BJP’s own government (in Bihar). Only then, the restlessness in our hearts will be calmed”.
Hours later, Sinha posted a video on social media, which saw him sitting in front of Nitish’s picture. In the video, he described Nitish as “Atal ji’s favourite”. “Nitish was sent to establish good governance here. Immense work was done between 2005 and 2010 to rid Bihar of jungle raj. The NDA government under Nitish Kumar’s leadership has freed Bihar from the jungle raj of kidnappings, murders, loot and rapes… NDA’s government will be formed under the leadership of Nitish Kumar in the future,” he said.
On its part, the JD(U) sees Singh’s demand of Bharat Ratna for Nitish as a shot in the arm, given the history of acrimonious relations between the two leaders.
A JD(U) leader said it was almost like Singh was “bowing down to Nitish” now. “Nitish has a proven track record with the NDA. We are also an important NDA ally at the Centre. The BJP will not attempt to outshine us. A leader like Giriraj Singh demanding the highest civilian award for Nitish seals the debate on the latter’s credentials as the leader and the administrator,” he added.
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