Patna, April 13 (IANS) As Bihar braces for a major political transition, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to resign from his post within the next 24 hours.

Ahead of this anticipated development, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, on Monday, expressed deep emotion, describing the moment as one of collective sorrow for the state.

Taking to the social media platform X, Union Minister Manjhi said, “Nitish Kumar, within the next twenty-four hours, you will be stepping down from the post of Chief Minister of Bihar. Everyone knows that it was your dream to serve as a member of all four Legislative Houses of the country. However, this very dream of yours has brought tears to the eyes of millions.”

The Hindustani Awam Morcha Chief also added that while Bihar has witnessed many leadership changes over the years, this moment feels different.

“Perhaps this is the first time when the mere news of a Chief Minister stepping down has moved millions to tears. Though the decision is entirely yours, Bihar stands grief-stricken today,” Manjhi said.

He concluded with a heartfelt message, saying, “We will miss you, Nitish Kumar… Bihar is incomplete without you.”

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s resignation will mark the end of an era in Bihar politics.

His decision is closely tied to his recent elevation to the Rajya Sabha, fulfilling his long-standing goal of serving in all four Legislative Houses, including the Bihar Assembly, Bihar Legislative Council, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.

This rare political milestone places Nitish Kumar among a select group of Indian political leaders.

The emotional tone of Jitan Ram Manjhi’s statement also reflects their shared political history.

In 2014, after the JD-U’s defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar on moral grounds.

He then appointed Jitan Ram Manjhi as the Bihar Chief Minister on May 20, 2014, in a strategic move to strengthen outreach among the Mahadalit communities.

Manjhi served as Bihar’s Chief Minister until February 2015.

With resignation imminent, Bihar is now on the cusp of the formation of a new government, the selection of a new Chief Minister, and a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.

While political processes move forward, the emotional reactions from political leaders like Jitan Ram Manjhi highlight the deep personal and political impact of Nitish Kumar’s departure as the Bihar Chief Minister.

–IANS

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