Nitish Kumar

by

Personal Details:

  • Full Name: Nitish Kumar
  • Date of Birth: March 1, 1951
  • Place of Birth: Bakhtiarpur, Bihar, India
  • Parents: Kaviraj Ram Lakhan Singh and Parmeshwari Devi
  • Education:
    • Early Education: Attended local schools in Bakhtiarpur and Patna
    • Higher Education: Obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering from Bihar College of Engineering (now National Institute of Technology, Patna).

Early Life:

Nitish Kumar was born into a Kurmi agricultural family. His father was an Ayurvedic practitioner and freedom fighter. Nitish Kumar showed an early interest in politics and social issues, influenced by his father’s involvement in the Indian independence movement.

Political Career:

Early Political Involvement:

  • JP Movement: Nitish Kumar was actively involved in the JP Movement (Total Revolution) led by Jayaprakash Narayan in the mid-1970s, which was a significant anti-Emergency movement.
  • Janata Party: He began his political career with the Janata Party and was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1985.

Rise in Politics:

  • Janata Dal: Joined the Janata Dal, which emerged from the Janata Party. He became a close associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav and played a crucial role in Bihar politics.
  • Formation of Samata Party: In 1994, Nitish Kumar, along with George Fernandes, formed the Samata Party due to differences with Lalu Prasad Yadav over the direction of the Janata Dal.

Key Political Positions:

  • Union Minister: Served in various capacities as a Union Minister in the governments of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Held portfolios such as Agriculture, Railways, and Surface Transport.
    • Minister of Railways (1998-1999, 2001-2004): Known for initiating several reforms in the Indian Railways, including introducing internet-based rail ticket booking and starting new train services.

Chief Minister of Bihar:

Tenures as Chief Minister:

  • First Tenure (2000): Briefly served as Chief Minister of Bihar for a few days in 2000.
  • Second Tenure (2005-2010): Elected as Chief Minister in 2005, forming an alliance with the BJP. Focused on law and order, infrastructure, and education reforms.
  • Third Tenure (2010-2014): Re-elected in 2010 with a significant majority. Continued his development agenda, emphasizing on road construction, electricity supply, and public health.
  • Fourth Tenure (2015-2017): Formed an alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD and the Congress to win the 2015 state elections. Focused on social welfare schemes and prohibition.
  • Fifth Tenure (2017-2020): Broke the alliance with the RJD and joined hands with the BJP again to continue as Chief Minister.
  • Sixth Tenure (2020-Present): Re-elected in 2020, leading a coalition with the BJP. His current tenure is marked by challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and issues related to unemployment and migration.

Key Initiatives and Achievements:

  • Development Projects: Emphasized infrastructure development, particularly roads and bridges, which significantly improved connectivity in Bihar.
  • Law and Order: His administration is credited with improving the law and order situation in Bihar, which had been plagued by crime and corruption.
  • Education Reforms: Implemented schemes to improve education, including the establishment of new schools, recruitment of teachers, and provision of bicycles to girls to encourage school attendance.
  • Social Welfare: Launched various social welfare schemes such as Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana (for marriage assistance to girls) and other initiatives aimed at empowering women.
  • Prohibition: Imposed a statewide ban on alcohol in 2016, which was a significant and controversial move aimed at addressing social issues related to alcohol consumption.

Personal Attributes and Public Perception:

  • Administrative Skills: Known for his administrative acumen and ability to implement policies effectively.
  • Political Acumen: Recognized for his strategic alliances and ability to navigate complex political landscapes.
  • Public Image: Maintains a clean and honest public image, often described as a leader with integrity and commitment to public service.

Challenges and Criticism:

  • Alliance Shifts: Frequent changes in political alliances have led to criticism of opportunism and lack of consistency.
  • Economic Issues: Despite development efforts, Bihar continues to face significant economic challenges, including high poverty and unemployment rates.
  • Prohibition Policy: The alcohol ban has faced criticism for leading to the black market and affecting state revenues.

Conclusion:

Nitish Kumar is a prominent figure in Indian politics, particularly known for his leadership in Bihar. His tenure as Chief Minister has seen significant development initiatives and improvements in law and order, education, and infrastructure. However, his political journey has also been marked by challenges and criticisms, reflecting the complexities of governance and coalition politics. Despite these challenges, he remains a key player in the political landscape of Bihar and India.

Leave a Comment