Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has come a long way. From his days in student politics and friendship with Lalu Yadav to his journey from Sushasan Babu to Paltu Ram, Nitish Kumar has seen it all.
In the 1970s, a young Nitish, inspired by leaders like JP Narayan, Lohia, and Karpoori Thakur, joined the Chhatra Sangharsh Samiti during JP’s call for Sampoorna Kranti. Arrested during the Emergency, he emerged determined to change Bihar’s fate. He began his electoral journey in Harnaut, won his first assembly seat in 1985 alongside Lalu Yadav, and soon became a prominent face of Bihar’s socialist politics.
Their alliance didn’t last long. In 1994, Nitish broke away to form the Samata Party, charting his own political course. As Railway Minister in the late 1990s, he introduced reforms like Tatkal ticketing and digital booking, earning praise for his practical governance style.
When he became Chief Minister in 2005, Bihar saw a turnaround, better roads, improved law and order, and renewed hope. The man once mocked for leading a chaotic state was now called Sushasan Babu. But over the years, things started to slip. Development slowed, unemployment rose, and corruption grew. Many young people today are unhappy and see him as a leader who has lost his old spark.
His recent outbursts, failed projects, and shifting alliances have only added to the criticism. Yet, Nitish Kumar has always been known for surprising comebacks. As Bihar heads into another election, the big question remains, Can he win back the trust of the people and his image as a reformer, or is this the end of his long political story?
Be the first to comment