Patna, Sep 17: The JD(U) has stepped up efforts to project and consolidate former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s political legacy, launching the ‘Nitish Samvad’ outreach on the Farakka issue while adopting a cautious position on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
The JD(U), a BJP ally in the Bihar government, is taking its Farakka campaign to 12 districts along the Ganga, seeking reconsideration of the India-Bangladesh Ganga water-sharing arrangement as the 1996 treaty approaches its expiry in December.
JD(U) national working president and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha has led the campaign, with the party arguing that Bihar’s interests should be protected in any future arrangement. Jha has also urged the Centre not to renew the treaty.
Nitish Kumar is not scheduled to attend the outreach programmes personally, with his recorded audio and video messages being played at the events, according to the report.
The party’s renewed focus on Nitish’s legacy also includes the Jeevika programme. Bihar JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha has announced plans to visit all 38 districts as part of a campaign marking 20 years of Jeevika and interacting with members of the women’s self-help group network.
“We are very happy and proud that the central government has adopted our model and named it ‘Aajeevika’,” Kushwaha said, adding that the party would visit every district, interact with Jeevika workers and gather feedback on the programme.
JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said the party was seeking to strengthen Nitish Kumar’s political legacy.
“We are trying to re-establish and strengthen Nitish Kumar’s great legacy and his stature as a politician,” he said.
The party is also facing questions over the possible role of Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar in organisational activities, with some party leaders calling for greater participation in the upcoming ‘20 Years of Jeevika’ campaign.
On the UCC, the JD(U) has adopted a wait-and-watch approach. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said the party would first examine the draft before taking a decision, while Sanjay Jha is expected to discuss the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“We will first read the draft (of the UCC) and then decide,” Sinha said.
The UCC issue has emerged as a point of discussion within the NDA after the Centre’s stated plan for implementation in NDA-ruled states. JD(U) leaders have indicated that the party wants consultations before taking a final position.
The JD(U)’s positions on the Farakka treaty and UCC come as the party seeks to maintain its distinct political identity while remaining part of the BJP-led alliance. Recent reports have also highlighted differences between the two allies over the Farakka issue.
Meanwhile, RJD leader Bhai Virendra has appealed to the JD(U) to leave the NDA over the UCC issue and join a Grand Alliance government led by Tejashwi Yadav, according to reports.
