Political Divide on Display at Nitish Kumar's Swearing-In Ceremony
The grand swearing-in ceremony of Nitish Kumar and his NDA cabinet ministers at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Thursday became a stark reflection of the widening political chasm between the ruling coalition and opposition parties in Bihar.
The event witnessed the presence of numerous national leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and several chief ministers from NDA-ruled states, who gathered to witness the formation of the new government. However, the absence of opposition leaders was particularly noticeable, underscoring the tense political atmosphere following the bitterly contested elections.
Opposition Boycott and Explanations
No prominent leaders from either the RJD, Congress, or Left parties attended the ceremony, despite invitations being sent to all newly elected MLAs by the Governor's secretariat. The development comes after election campaigns marked by sharp exchanges, including allegations of 'vote chori' and warnings about 'jungle raj'.
The most significant absence was that of RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who led the opposition's campaign but failed to secure enough support to form the government. Breaking his silence since the electoral setback, Yadav took to social media platform X to extend his congratulations to the new government.
"Hearty congratulations to Nitish Kumar on taking the oath as the chief minister of Bihar. Heartiest wishes to all the ministers of the Bihar govt who were sworn in as members of the council of ministers," Yadav posted. He expressed hope that the new government would fulfill its promises and bring positive changes to the lives of Bihar's citizens.
RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav attributed Tejashwi's absence to his "busy schedule," while Congress offered a different justification for their non-attendance.
Congress spokesperson Rajesh Rathor explained, "Had the function been organised in the Raj Bhavan, we would have attended it, but the swearing-in at the Gandhi Maidan appeared a party function with glaring display of banners and posters." He questioned how they could attend what he described as essentially a party program rather than an official state function.
Historical Context and Political Reactions
Left leaders pointed out that they have traditionally avoided such functions, with the exception of 2015 when the Grand Alliance came to power. This historical context adds another layer to the current political dynamics.
JD(U) expressed disappointment at the opposition's boycott, with spokesperson Arvind Nishad describing it as "very distressing." He invoked veteran socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia's philosophy that "opposition too is a part of the govt," emphasizing that such political bitterness is unhealthy for democracy.
Nishad stressed that the people's mandate should be accepted by all political stakeholders, regardless of their differences during the election campaign.
The Governor's secretariat had proactively ensured all newly elected MLAs received invitations, even publishing an advertisement in local newspapers on Wednesday as a backup measure. The advertisement stated that if physical invitations didn't reach MLAs on time, the published notice should be considered as their official invitation.
The ceremony proceeded with NDA ministers swearing by the Constitution and holy books, pledging to serve the state with dedication and an unbiased approach. However, the empty spaces where opposition leaders should have been seated spoke volumes about the current state of Bihar's political landscape and the challenges facing collaborative governance in the state.
