On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah referred to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's more than twenty-year tenure as a golden era for Bihar, coinciding with Kumar's nomination filing for the Rajya Sabha.
Shah remarked that it is remarkable for any political leader to maintain an unblemished career over four decades in public service, during which he held roles as Union minister and Bihar chief minister since 2005. His leadership has been notably effective, eliminating the state's lawlessness. He ensured the development of road networks and electricity throughout the state, accelerating all facets of its advancement. This statement was made as Kumar submitted his nomination alongside Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Nitin Nabin, Rashtriya Lok Morcha’s Upendra Kushwaha, BJP leader Shivesh Kumar, and Union minister Ram Nath Thakur.
Shah mentioned that Kumar, influenced by the JP Movement, adhered to the ideals of socialist leader Jai Prakash Narayan and had an unblemished record. 'He upheld simplicity and the highest standards in public service. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure, he played a significant role in advancing Bihar, ensuring that all central schemes were accessible to the public.'
He mentioned that Nabin was appointed as the BJP president and nominated for the Rajya Sabha following a long and successful career in state politics. "We are pleased to welcome his transition to the Parliament and national politics."
In 2025, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returned to power in Bihar by securing 202 out of 243 seats, allowing it to easily claim four of the five Rajya Sabha seats. However, for the fifth seat, it falls short by three votes, as each candidate requires 41 votes to secure a win.
In the contest for the fifth seat, Kushwaha is competing against Amarendra Dhari Singh from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, who also submitted his nomination on Thursday. Even abstentions could negatively impact Singh's chances.
The Rajya Sabha seat elections are set for March 16, with the examination of nomination papers occurring on March 6. Candidates have until March 9 to withdraw their nominations.