Janata Dal (United) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Nitish Kumar has publicly congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 12 years of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governance at the Centre, crediting him with rebuilding public trust in Indian democracy and lifting nearly 25 crore people out of multidimensional poverty. Kumar made his remarks in a detailed column published in a Hindi daily newspaper on 10 June.

Key Praise and Shared Political Legacy

Kumar drew a personal parallel with Modi, noting that both leaders were politically shaped by the Emergency period. 'Although we hail from geographically distinct regions of India, we are fellow representatives of the same generation whose political consciousness was shaped by the Emergency. We witnessed the assault on democratic freedoms firsthand and participated in the movement aimed at restoring democratic values,' Kumar wrote.

He described Modi's rise from humble origins to the country's highest elected office as 'a living testament to the strength and openness of Indian democracy,' arguing that it had dismantled the long-held perception that top political offices were reserved for the privileged or those from influential political families.

Welfare Delivery and Poverty Alleviation

Kumar credited the NDA government with expanding access to toilets, bank accounts, housing, LPG connections, tap water supply, and health insurance — particularly for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, women, and first-time welfare beneficiaries. He argued these groups had moved from being passive recipients to active participants in India's development.

Invoking his own ideological roots, Kumar wrote: 'As a follower of Dr Lohia, JP, and other socialist leaders, I have always viewed politics as a means to ensure public welfare. Lifting people out of poverty and ensuring a dignified life should be the foremost priority for any politician.'

Women-Centric Governance and Bihar's 'Jeevika'

Kumar highlighted women-focused welfare schemes under the Modi government and linked them to his own experience in Bihar. 'My own experience in Bihar has shown that society progresses rapidly when women are placed at the centre of development initiatives. It is no surprise that the success of Bihar's Jeevika initiative is now being discussed globally,' he said.

Transparency, Anti-Corruption, and Global Standing

Kumar praised Modi's emphasis on transparency and accountability in governance, writing that the Prime Minister had 'consistently focused on efficiency, transparency, and accountability' across welfare schemes, infrastructure, and public service delivery. On corruption, Kumar stated: 'Few leaders in Indian politics have managed to remain at the pinnacle of power for decades without a single blemish on their reputation.'

He also credited Modi with strengthening cooperative federalism and elevating India's global stature, adding that as Chief Minister of Bihar he had found Modi supportive of the state's development 'regardless of political circumstances.'

Milestone of Longest-Serving Consecutive PM

Kumar concluded by noting that Modi had achieved the milestone of becoming India's longest-serving Prime Minister with consecutive terms, calling it an occasion to celebrate his contributions and extend best wishes for future achievements. The column reflects the continued political alignment between the JD(U) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) within the NDA coalition ahead of future electoral cycles.