Vandita Mishra writes: Reading between the exit lines of Nitish Kumar — a Bihar story of loose ends, incomplete successes |
“Since the beginning of my parliamentary career, I had a desire to become a member of both Houses of the state legislature, as well as both Houses of Parliament,” wrote Nitish Kumar, on X. “That’s why I want to become a Rajya Sabha MP in the upcoming election.”
In the end, it doesn’t add up. Nitish is the chief minister of more than 20 years, who has remained in the saddle in spite of the JD(U)’s chronic lack of electoral majority, because of a will-to-power that was unflagging.
He created and sustained an aura of his own inevitability in Bihar through an accomplished politics, achievements in government and shape-shifting alliances. Now, only months after being sworn in for the 10th time after a vote sought and won in his name, Nitish’s awkward and incongruous statement, ally BJP looming larger by his side, both prolongs — and promises to break — a silence in Bihar.
The unbroken silence belongs to Nitish himself. For a few years now, amid high-decibel election noise and routine rhythms of governance, he has been the chief minister who has gone missing, allegedly due to unexplained health-related infirmities. Nitish’s disembodied persona has taken his place. By all accounts, it has even won an election for him. This statement expressing the implausible aspiration to a Rajya Sabha berth only confirms it: Nitish has spoken, but Nitish is still missing.
As opaque as it seems, however, Nitish’s intervention also signals the breaking of a silence — his shift to Delhi will mean that, under a new incumbent, the Bihar Chief Minister will again be heard and seen.
But there is still the question of democratic accountability. Who was ruling Bihar, if Nitish hasn’t been himself for a long time? And whichever the new........