Amit Shah Applauds Nitish Kumar as He Takes Oath as Rajya Sabha Member, Hails Bihar’s Progress

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday extended his "heartfelt congratulations" to veteran leader Nitish Kumar following his swearing-in as a member of the Rajya Sabha. The ceremony, which marks a significant transition for Bihar's longest-serving Chief Minister back to national politics, was met with high praise from the senior BJP leadership. A Legacy of Good Governance ​In a statement shared shortly after the ceremony, Shah highlighted Kumar’s pivotal role in transforming the political and social landscape of Bihar. ​"With your vision of good governance and development, you have accomplished the unprecedented task of freeing Bihar from 'jungle raj' and setting it on the path of progress," Shah remarked. ​The term "jungle raj" has frequently been used by the NDA to describe the era of lawlessness they claim characterized Bihar prior to Kumar’s leadership. Shah’s comments reaffirm the strong alliance and shared vision between the BJP and the JD(U) as they navigate this transition. From Patna to Parliament ​Nitish Kumar took his oath in Hindi before Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan. The move is widely seen as the conclusion of his nearly two-decade-long tenure as the Chief Minister of Bihar, with a new successor expected to be named by the NDA in the coming days. ​"Your extensive experience in public life will now prove crucial in shaping policies in Parliament and accelerating the journey of building a developed India," the Home Minister added, wishing him a successful and achievement-filled tenure. ​The Road Ahead ​The shift of Nitish Kumar to the Upper House is expected to trigger a significant leadership shuffle in Bihar. As the state prepares for a new Chief Minister, the NDA leadership appears focused on maintaining the momentum of development that Shah credited to Kumar’s administration.