Nitish Kumar drops 2 big statements at Sushil Modi's RS nomination filing; 'Centre' hinted

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has me a pair of interesting statements with regards to his former Deputy CM Sushil Modi. Nitish was present with BJP leer as he filed his nomination for by-election to Rajya Sabha seat that has been vacated due to demise of Ram Vilas Paswan.

"I have come here to congratulate my former colleague. He is currently an MLC and formerly been a member of Lok Sabha and an MLA before that," Nitish said, ding that "With his election to Rajya Sabha he will hold  distinction of having been a member of both houses of Parliament and state legislature". Sushil Modi has previously been Member of Parliament for Bhagalpur parliamentary constituency.

Nitish went on, revealing that he h not favoured Sushil Modi no longer continuing as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, confirming that it h been BJP's decision. Tar Kishor Pras and Renu Devi have both been appointed Deputy CM in Nitish's fourth Bihar government. JD(U) chief also hinted strongly that Sushil Modi may be granted a role at Centre soon.

"Our wish is known to everybody. But, now that y want to take him to Centre, we are hopeful that in his new capacity he will continue to serve Bihar," Nitish Kumar said, even as Sushil Modi thanked BJP and NDA leership for ir support. Sushil Modi h stopped by BJP's office in Patna enroute Vidhan Sabha and h been warmly received.

Leers of NDA's smaller constituents HAM and VIP, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Mukesh Sahni respectively, were also present and expressed confidence in Sushil Modi winning his election - which he may unopposed unless RJD-led Mahagathbandhan can declare a candidate and file nomination by Thursday for December 7 election.

Thus far, Tejashwi's party has attempted to highlight that Rajya Sabha seat which h previously been held by LJP was not being returned to it. Clearly, Tejashwi and RJD seem insistent on buying argument that Chirag Paswan's beef is with Nitish and JD(U), rar than BJP. Chirag Paswan, has stuck to that line amantly, even having to be warned by BJP to not seek votes in Narendra Modi's name.

However, while RJD offered to support LJP for Bihar Rajya Sabha seat if Chirag Paswan was to field his mor Reena Paswan, this offer was turned down quite gracefully.

"I appreciate  gesture me by RJD and consideration shown by m for us. But my mor is not interested in entering politics as of now," Chirag Paswan said. Paswan is himself a member of Rajya Sabha from seat that Union Minister Ravi Shankar Pras h vacated when he became a member of Lok Sabha after defeating Shatrughan Sinha from Patna Sahib in 2019 elections.

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precise balance of LJP's equation with BJP is as-yet-unknown, with a recent analysis by this website indicating that Chirag Paswan's decision to field candidates against NDA may have cost JDU as many as 32 seats. Unusually, neir JD(U) nor LJP currently have any members in Union Cabinet. With exits over time of TDP, PDP, Shiv Sena and Akali Dal from NDA fold, RPI's Ramdas Athawale remains only non-BJP holder of a cabinet berth. JD(U) h declined a seat after it felt it was granted too little after 2019 elections and that situation has remained unchanged.

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