JD(U) Workers Stage Violent Protests Over Nitish Kumar's Rajya Sabha Nomination
In a dramatic turn of events in Patna, workers of the Janata Dal (United) staged intense protests on Thursday, both outside Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's official residence at 1, Anne Marg and at the party office. The unrest erupted as Nitish Kumar filed his nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections, with protesters vehemently opposing the move and even threatening self-immolation.
Protests Turn Violent with Vandalism and Threats
The demonstrations quickly escalated into chaos as JD(U) workers expressed their fury. At the party office, protesters vandalized furniture, breaking chairs and tables in a show of dissent. They raised aggressive slogans targeting specific party leaders, branding them as "Jaichands"—a historical reference to betrayal. Outside the chief minister's residence, the situation grew equally tense, with workers demanding to meet Nitish Kumar and warning of "dire consequences" if denied access. Several protesters threatened self-immolation, repeating their warnings amidst the upheaval.
Workers Allege Conspiracy and Question Authenticity of Social Media Post
The protesters alleged a conspiracy against Nitish Kumar, claiming he was under pressure to move to the Rajya Sabha. They dismissed a post from Kumar's X account, which indicated his preparedness for the transition, as inauthentic. Mahendra Kushwaha, a JD(U) worker from Paliganj, stated, "We got the news on Holi afternoon that our leader Nitish ji is being sent to Rajya Sabha. We know it is not his decision." He rushed to Patna on Wednesday evening after hearing the reports, reflecting the widespread discontent.
Ravi Raj Patel, vice-president of Patna Mahanagar, echoed these sentiments, questioning why workers were barred from meeting their leader and asserting that the X post was made under duress. Youth worker Gauri Singh also challenged the authenticity of the tweet, claiming it was issued under pressure.
Party Leaders Attempt to Pacify the Crowd Amid Emotional Outbursts
JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha found himself gheraoed by a large number of workers as he attempted to calm the agitated crowd. He assured them, "Nitish Kumar has not yet resigned from the CM’s post. The sentiments of the workers will be understood and their concerns will be conveyed to him." Meanwhile, senior party leader Maheshwar Hazari was seen crying in his vehicle when questioned by reporters about the members' distress, highlighting the emotional toll of the situation.
Workers Rally Behind Nitish Kumar and His Son as Sole Alternative
The protesters emphasized their loyalty to Nitish Kumar, with worker Surendra Kumar Shivam recalling their campaign slogan, "2025 se 30 phir se Nitish," which advocated for his continued leadership. He declared that the only alternative they would consider was Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant Kumar, underscoring their unwavering support for the chief minister amidst the political turmoil.
This protest underscores the deep-seated tensions within the JD(U) as Nitish Kumar's potential shift to the Rajya Sabha sparks fears of a leadership vacuum and internal discord in Bihar's political landscape.
