NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took a swipe at dynastic politics during a rally in Patna on Wednesday, emphasising his commitment to the non-promotion of family members in politics. Celebrating the centenary birth anniversary of socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, Kumar thanked PM Modi for posthumously conferring Bharat Ratna on Thakur.
“Karpoori Thakur was Bihar’s biggest socialist leader, remembered for never promoting his family. Unlike many leaders today, he prioritised the common people. I draw inspiration from him and have never sought to promote any of my family members,” Kumar asserted. He aimed a subtle jab at Lalu Prasad Yadav, stating, “Some people are promoting only family members and making them leaders.”
Highlighting his adherence to Thakur’s principles, Kumar mentioned promoting Thakur’s son, Ram Nath Thakur, within the party. Despite his party’s inclusion in the INDIA bloc, often criticised for “dynastic politics,” Kumar asserted his commitment to merit-based promotions.
The remarks on dynastic politics come amid reports of opposition bloc fissures and Mamata Banerjee’s announcement of the Trinamool Congress contesting elections independently. Although Kumar’s family is not in politics, his party’s role within the INDIA bloc exposes it to critiques of dynastic politics.
The rally, a show of strength ahead of general elections, saw Kumar express gratitude for conferring Bharat Ratna on Thakur. He recounted visiting Thakur’s ancestral village and meeting the late leader’s family, including son Ramnath Thakur, who shared the stage.
While thanking the Prime Minister for fulfilling a demand he had raised since 2007, Kumar urged the Centre to address other demands, including according to “special status” to Bihar.
Responding to Kumar’s dig at dynastic politics, BJP state president Samrat Chowdhary stated, “It is up to Kumar to think it over. After all, it is he who has made him (Tejashwi Yadav) the deputy chief minister.”