Patna: CM Nitish Kumar’s resignation as MLC on Monday triggered emotional reactions across Bihar — from political leaders and academics to women associated with self-help groups — with many recalling his two-decade-long role in reshaping the state’s governance and development landscape.Nitish, the longest-serving CM of Bihar, tendered his resignation after being elected to the Rajya Sabha earlier this month. He is expected to take the oath of membership of the Upper House on April 10, a step that could formally set in motion the process leading to his resignation from the post of CM.The news sent ripples across political and social circles in the state, with reactions ranging from shock and nostalgia to expressions of concern about the future course of governance in Bihar.Among those visibly moved was rural works department minister Ashok Choudhary, who was seen weeping before cameras shortly after the news broke. The video soon went viral on social media.State JD(U) chief spokesman and MLC Neeraj Kumar described the development as an emotional moment for party leaders and workers.“CM Nitish Kumar resigned from the state legislative council. It is a very sad day, the day of big ‘peeda (sorrow).’ He was an upright leader who did not spare me for my wrong on one occasion,” Neeraj told reporters.Outside the political arena, academics and public commentators also reflected on Nitish’s long tenure and the changes witnessed in the state during this period.An economist and social scientist from Patna University, also known as a public intellectual, Nawal Kishore Chaudhary said the chief minister’s role in shaping modern Bihar would be remembered for years.“The contribution of Nitish to making a new Bihar that is around us is enormous. The state’s first CM Shrikrishna Sinha had brought a big transformation in the state during his sixteen-year uninterrupted tenure. After him, things became stagnant. After Sinha, Nitish alone has managed to revive the state. He brought a social and economic transformation, when desire for development became a public lingua, and he also gave political stability,” Chaudhary said.“For the present and future generations, Nitish Kumar will always be remembered as a leader who improved the state’s law and order situation (2005-10), practiced good governance, fulfilled aspirations of people, controlled social (caste) and religious discord, and also brought about socio-economic transformation in the state,” he added.Former state Congress chief Madan Mohan Jha, who served as a minister in the grand alliance govt led by Nitish, recalled the CM’s approach to criticism and governance.“If any opposition leader would remind him of the wrong done anywhere in the state, then Nitish at times would brush aside the criticism. However, privately, he was a different person and would work to rectify the wrong done that was pointed out by the opposition member,” Jha said.“People like me are very sad for the news that he will not be the state’s CM. We used to think that the BJP, in any case, would depose Nitish from the post, but we never thought that it would come so fast and in such a manner,” he added. “The state needed him in 2005, and the state needs him even in 2026,” Jha said.Beyond political and academic circles, the development also resonated strongly among women associated with Jeevika self-help groups across the state, many of whom credit the programme with transforming their economic and social standing.Kumari Sangeeta, who has been associated with Jeevika for the past 10 years in Athmalgola, said the programme had given confidence and identity to thousands of women.“Now we have our identity and we are leading a decent life and the credit goes to Nitish Ji. He did a lot for Jeevika didis and we still feel that we may have been able to stop him from leaving the post of Bihar chief minister. I know women who were enclosed inside the boundary of their house and now are earning through domestication of animals, or by running small shops. These things became possible because of Nitish Ji,” she said.Another Jeevika didi, Kavita Kumari, expressed uncertainty about the future.“We don’t know our fate after after Nitish Ji goes from Bihar,” she said.Businessman and social worker Naresh Agarwal drew a symbolic comparison between Nitish Kumar’s resignation and the development trajectory of the state.“Nitish’s resignation from the state legislative council is like the resignation of development from Bihar,” he said.For many across the state, Nitish’s decision to relinquish his legislative council membership marks not just a constitutional step following his election to the Rajya Sabha, but also the possible end of a long political era that shaped Bihar’s governance and development for nearly two decades.
