Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, has had a remarkable political journey. Here's a brief overview:
1. Early Life and Education
- Nitish Kumar was born on March 1, 1951, in Bakhtiarpur, Bihar.
- He completed his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Bihar College of Engineering in 1972.
2. Entry into Politics:
- Nitish Kumar entered politics during the youth movement in Bihar in the early 1970s.
- He was initially associated with the Jayaprakash Narayan-led anti-emergency movement.
3. Joining Janata Dal:
- Nitish Kumar joined the Janata Dal in the 1980s and became a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
4. Ministerial Positions:
- He held various ministerial portfolios in the state government during the 1980s and 1990s.
- Nitish Kumar served as the Minister of Agriculture in the Union Cabinet in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
5. Chief Ministerial Stint (First Term):
- Nitish Kumar became the Chief Minister of Bihar for the first time in 2000 but resigned within a week, taking moral responsibility for the state's deteriorating law and order situation.
6. Return as Chief Minister (2005):
- In 2005, he led the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to victory in the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections and became the Chief Minister again.
- His tenure focused on improving governance, development, and social justice.
7. Development Initiatives:
- Nitish Kumar's administration implemented various development projects, including roads, education, and healthcare.
- He initiated the "Bihar 2025 Vision Document" outlining the state's development goals.
8. Second Term (2010):
- In the 2010 Assembly elections, Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) secured a decisive victory.
- The focus continued on development, women's empowerment, and social welfare.
9. Resignation and Alliance Shift (2014):
- Nitish Kumar resigned as Chief Minister in 2014, taking moral responsibility for the party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections.
- However, he returned to power later that year after an alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Indian National Congress.
10. Grand Alliance Government:
- Nitish Kumar led the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) to victory in the 2015 Bihar Assembly elections.
- He served as Chief Minister until July 2017.
11. Alliance Shift Again (2017):
- In 2017, Nitish Kumar resigned as Chief Minister, breaking ties with the RJD and forming a new government with the BJP.
12. Current Term (2017 - Present):
- Nitish Kumar is currently serving his fourth consecutive term as the Chief Minister of Bihar since July 2017.
- His current term is marked by a focus on infrastructure development, education, and social reforms.
Nitish Kumar's political journey has been characterized by multiple shifts in alliances, a commitment to development, and an emphasis on good governance.
