Nitish Kumar Prepares for 16th Yatra Starting January 16
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will embark on his sixteenth yatra, named Samriddhi Yatra, on January 16. This marks his fifteenth such march while serving as the state's Chief Minister. The yatra begins just after the conclusion of the inauspicious month of kharmas, demonstrating careful planning.
Yatra to Focus on Government Projects and Public Engagement
During the yatra, Nitish Kumar will review key government projects across several sectors. These include health, education, agriculture, road construction, and social welfare. He plans to launch new schemes and mark the completion of existing ones. Public meetings will form a core part of the journey, allowing direct interaction with citizens.
Senior IAS and IPS officers will accompany the Chief Minister on this political trip. The yatra is expected to start from West Champaran, following the pattern of his previous marches.
JD(U) Praises Commitment, RJD Adopts Cautious Stance
JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar emphasized Nitish Kumar's dedication. "Undertaking a yatra in the chilling winter shows his commitment to the state," he stated. He credited this commitment for Nitish Kumar's long tenure of twenty years in power. The spokesperson also noted the historic victory in the 2025 polls, where the NDA won 202 of 243 seats.
On the other hand, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari acknowledged the yatra as part of Nitish Kumar's political strategy. "We will allow the government time. We respect the mandate but would do our job as the Opposition at the right time," he said. Notably, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has decided not to issue any statements for a while, reflecting RJD's strategy to give the new government some space before criticism.
Administrative Preparations Underway
Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit has directed district magistrates of all 38 districts to prepare for the upcoming yatra. This ensures smooth coordination and highlights the administrative focus on the event.
Nitish Kumar's first yatra, Nyay Yatra, took place in July 2005. His first yatra as Chief Minister, Vikas Yatra, occurred in January 2009. The most recent one, Pragati Yatra, was held in December 2024.
Political Developments in Bihar
In related news, Bhojpuri singer Ritesh Pandey has resigned from Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party (JSP). Pandey, who contested unsuccessfully from Kargahar, cited the challenges of active political membership. Meanwhile, former Union minister RCP Singh, a JSP leader, expressed close ties with Nitish Kumar, stating, "No one can claim to know Nitish Kumar as much as I have known him." He also supported the demand for Bharat Ratna for Nitish, though JD(U) has not responded to his overtures.
These developments occur against the backdrop of Bihar's dynamic political landscape, with Nitish Kumar's yatra serving as a key event to assess governance and connect with the public.
