“Bihar CM Nitish Kumar a ‘necessity’ for state, is also case study in political longevity”: Chirag Paswan
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Monday described Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a “necessity” for the state, calling him a case study in political longevity despite challenges. Paswan said, “As a Political Science student, I would say that Nitish ji is a necessity, and I am saying this in a positive way. When I say that I am a student of politics, this is another case study. It would be very useful for my future if I could understand how you have remained in power for two decades despite all the highs and lows. You know, anti-incumbency is not seen against him today.”The Union Minister asserted that there is no anti-incumbency wave against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, attributing it to welfare schemes and public empathy towards the veteran leader’s health.”There is no anti-incumbency. I am saying this very honestly. I am saying this because, in 2020, I experienced that there were still complaints–this didn’t happen, that didn’t happen. But either because of welfare schemes or because of targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ji personally… even the memes that were made. I mean, as far as his health is concerned, if you talk about the health of an elderly person, then we connect emotionally with them, just like when there is an elderly person in our family. In this way, the more people target him by saying he is in a state of unconsciousness, the more I see people connect with him. People say, look, he is fighting even then–and which is true also,” he added. Paswan further contrasted CM Nitish Kumar’s campaign energy with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, questioning the latter’s fitness and alertness. “When Tejashwi did not even leave the house and completed the negotiations, I saw that Chief Minister Nitish was busy campaigning. So now you tell me who is more fit and more alert health-wise,” he said. Chirag Paswan expressed that his relations with Nitish Kumar are excellent, highlighting that Kumar visited his home on Chhath to partake in Kharna Prasad. Paswan emphasised that such a gesture signifies positive ties, stating that if the relationship were not good, Kumar wouldn’t have joined him for the occasion. “Our relations are very good. He came to my house on the day of Chhath to eat Kharna Prasad. If the relations were not good, then why would he come to eat Kharna Prasad? And if he comes, if he wants to give the message, then it means that the relations are good,” he said. Chirag said he and the Bihar CM made sincere efforts to act as a unifying force and held prolonged closed-door discussions. He described the CM as calm, composed, a man of few words but strong in expression, and one who clearly conveyed his points. “So I and the Chief Minister made an honest effort to become a cementing force. We gave each other some time. We had long discussions in a closed room. He is calm and composed. He is a man of few words, yet his words are very strong. He communicated his message very clearly. He is much older than me in age. And my values don’t say that I should give an answer or argue with them,” he said. In the second phase of the 2025 assembly polls, the NDA will face a major challenge in maintaining its dominance, particularly in its northern Bihar strongholds, including East Champaran, West Champaran, Sheohar, and Sitamarhi districts, where the ruling alliance currently holds sway over 30 assembly seats. The phase will also decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s cabinet. Among them are JD(U) leaders Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas). Key ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya Town), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi).
Nitish Kumar Reintroduces Domicile Policy for Teachers’ Recruitment in Bihar Ahead of State Polls
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday announced the reintroduction of a domicile policy for the recruitment of teachers in the state’s government schools, a move widely seen as a pre-election sop ahead of the upcoming assembly polls. The policy, which gives priority to residents of Bihar in teacher appointments, will come into effect from the Teachers Recruitment Exam-4 (TRE-4) slated for 2025. It reverses a 2023 decision that had opened up state teaching jobs to candidates from across the country. “The Education Department has been directed to amend the recruitment rules to ensure that only candidates domiciled in Bihar are eligible for government school teaching positions,” Kumar said in a post on social media platform X. The chief minister also announced that the State Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) will be conducted before TRE-5, which is scheduled for 2026, to streamline the recruitment process. The move marks a return to regional job preferences amid growing political momentum in the state. Kumar said the decision was part of a broader effort to strengthen Bihar’s education system, which his government has been working to reform since 2005. “Since the formation of our government, we have continuously prioritised educational improvements. A large number of teachers have already been recruited, and we remain committed to expanding opportunities for Bihar’s youth,” Kumar added. The reintroduction of the domicile clause is expected to generate mixed reactions. While it may find favour among local aspirants, critics say it risks reducing opportunities for qualified candidates from other states and could trigger legal challenges. Analysts view the policy as a strategic move by Kumar’s Janata Dal (United)-led government to consolidate support among the youth and unemployed ahead of the 2025 elections.
