Not a political adjustment: Ravi Shankar Prasad on BJP's ties with Nitish Kumar

BJP MP and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad rejected the idea that his party’s alliance with the JD(U) was merely a political adjustment and credited its chief, Nitish Kumar, with doing “exceptional” work for Bihar’s development.

Speaking at the ‘BJP government in Bihar’ session of Panchayat Aaj Tak Bihar, Prasad pointed out that his party's ties with Nitish Kumar began between 2005 and 2007 and were rooted in a shared fight against what he described as “jungle raj.”

Prasad stressed that the BJP had respected seniority and made Nitish Kumar chief minister despite having more seats, and that the party was now happy to have its own chief minister. At the same time, he stressed that the entire NDA -- comprising the JD(U), BJP, LJP, Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi -- was working together.

Prasad said one of the BJP’s long-standing political goals had now been achieved, as Bihar was the only state in the Hindi heartland where the party had not yet had a chief minister of its own.

Highlighting Bihar’s development, Prasad cited the revamp of Patna airport, eight Vande Bharat trains, Atal Path and JP Ganga Path. He said five bridges were being built across the Ganga and recalled the government’s relief efforts during floods.

Citing Bakhtiyarpur and Fatwah in his constituency, Prasad said he had personally stepped into floodwaters to help people. He also said he had involved two newly posted IAS officers in flood-relief operations to give them a first-hand understanding of the situation on the ground.

Prasad also praised Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, saying he had helped open degree colleges in several places and launched a grievance-redressal portal.

According to Prasad, the portal has also been adopted in Goa and Gujarat, with weekly reminders sent on pending complaints and action taken if there is no response within a month.

He also highlighted plans for the IT sector, skill centres and an AI data university, while describing the law-and-order situation as strict.- EndsPublished By: Sayan GangulyPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 15:58 IST