North India Statesman
News India Live, Digital Desk: Whatever is happening in the politics of Bihar these days, its strings seem to be directly connected to the corridors of Delhi. Recently appointed Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Sanjay Malhotra ‘s Patna visit has surprised political pundits. Governor Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary Had a long meeting with, but the second Deputy Chief Minister of the state Vijay Kumar Sinha And senior most minister cum finance minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav Kept distance from. There is now speculation in Bihar regarding this ‘selected’ meeting – have BJP and the Central Government chosen their ‘face’ to hand over the command of Bihar after Nitish?
Meeting protocol and ‘political message’
Usually, when a senior official of the central bank is on a visit to the state, he pays a formal visit to the Finance Department and the concerned ministers. But in this visit of Sanjay Malhotra, there was more ‘politics’ than protocol:
Focus on Nitish and Samrat: The Governor met Nitish Kumar at the CM residence, where Samrat Chaudhary was also present. It was said to be a discussion on the economic development and banking reforms of the state.
Why did Vijay Sinha not get time? Second Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha was kept away from this meeting. Experts are seeing this as a ‘power shift’ within the BJP, where Samrat Chaudhary is being given more preference than Vijay Sinha.
Ignoring the Finance Minister: The most surprising thing was that the Governor did not even meet the State Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, whereas technically RBI has direct communication with the Finance Department.
Signs of ‘big game’ after March 26?
There is talk in Bihar politics that Nitish Kumar will ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ After this you can take a big decision.
Samrat Chaudhary’s hand on shoulder: During his visit, Nitish Kumar has expressed his affection and trust towards Samrat Chaudhary several times in public forums. This is being seen as an informal announcement of the ‘successor’.
BJP’s Plan-2026: If we look at the indications from the BJP high command sitting in Delhi, preparations to project Samrat Chaudhary as the ‘next Chief Minister’ have intensified. An important meeting of the BJP Legislative Party is possible in the first or second week of April, in which the name for the post of CM can be approved.
Nitish’s role: It is believed that Nitish Kumar can free himself from the responsibility of Chief Minister and move towards a bigger role at the Center (possibly Vice President or Rajya Sabha member).
Opposition’s taunt: “Delhi is deciding the future of Bihar”
The Grand Alliance and especially the RJD have called this meeting an ‘insult to democracy’. Opposition leaders say that when the Finance Minister and a Deputy CM are sidelined, it is clear that all is not well within the government and Delhi is directly interfering in the administrative decisions of Bihar.
