Patna, March 12 (NationPress) Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, the former Union Minister, stated on Thursday that Nitish Kumar's choice to pursue Rajya Sabha membership is primarily his own. However, he also suggested that there may be additional factors influencing this decision.

In a conversation with IANS, Singh noted that the National Democratic Alliance, under Kumar's leadership, had recently achieved a robust mandate in the Bihar Assembly elections just three months prior.

“If he was engaged in development initiatives through his Yatra and was overseeing projects, what prompted his sudden move to the Rajya Sabha? It’s a matter open to speculation. Ultimately, it is his decision alone,” Singh articulated.

He further underscored that the Bharatiya Janata Party's upper echelons have consistently backed Kumar's leadership role in Bihar.

Singh recalled that during the 2020 Assembly elections, the BJP clinched 74 seats while the Janata Dal (United) secured 43. Despite the BJP's larger seat count, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah insisted on maintaining Kumar as Chief Minister.

“At that juncture, Kumar was prepared to step down, yet PM Modi and Amit Shah urged him to remain as Chief Minister and steer the NDA,” Singh added, highlighting that both the 2020 and anticipated 2025 elections were fought under Kumar's banner.

In discussing Nishant Kumar's induction into JD(U), Singh remarked on the young leader's significant potential and bright political prospects.

However, he expressed that it would have been more impactful for Kumar to be present on stage during Nishant's formal entry into the party.

According to Singh, such presence would have communicated a stronger political message.

He also noted that while showing respect to elders is a commendable cultural value, performing the act of touching senior leaders' feet in a political context may not be suitable.

“Had Nitish Kumar been present and Nishant touched his father's feet, it would have conveyed a different sentiment,” he stated.

When queried about rumors suggesting that Nishant Kumar might ascend to the Deputy Chief Minister position in the future, Singh clarified that such decisions would be made collectively by Kumar and the NDA leadership.

“Nishant has promise, but the final decision regarding his potential role as Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister will rest with Kumar and the NDA leaders,” he concluded.

When pressed about the possibility of rejoining JD(U) in the future, Singh opted not to comment on that front.