JD(U) workers continue protest for second day, launch postcard campaign

Patna: JD(U) workers on Friday continued their protest for the second day after CM Nitish Kumar filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha election, with unrest reported from Jehanabad where party workers created a ruckus at the district office. Party workers also launched a postcard-writing campaign to be sent to Kumar to register their dissatisfaction and urge him to reconsider the move.

At the JD(U) office in the state capital, tension arose when some workers threw black paint on a joint poster featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nitish, blackening the PM’s photo. Party sources said the protest reflected growing discontent among a section of workers over the nomination and anger over the party’s alliance with the BJP.

Krishna Patel, district vice-president of Chhatra Janata Dal, said the postcard campaign would be carried out across Bihar. He said the postcards were meant to convey workers’ sentiments to the CM. “People’s mandate was in favour of CM Nitish Kumar, and he has to consider this. He has been given the responsibility till 2030. How can he leave before that?” Patel said, adding that at least 1,000 postcards had been written so far.

Uttam Kushwaha, the party’s university wing president, said the letters were aimed at pressuring Kumar to complete his tenure. “Through the letters, we want to tell our leader that Bihar is his. People of this state have given the mandate to him and no one else. Please complete your tenure, or else it will be a betrayal and people’s faith will no longer remain the same,” he said.

Kushwaha said the anger extended beyond party workers to the wider public. He claimed the party was receiving calls from anxious people across the state. He also claimed that some callers had said they would resort to self-immolation.

He said there was unease among Jeevika Didis, who feared losing their influence if Kumar stepped down. He added that people were also apprehensive that prohibition might be lifted in his absence as the CM.

Some JD(U) workers also protested outside the CM’s residence for the second day. One worker threatened to go on a fast-unto-death protest, but police acted swiftly and removed him from the spot.

At the JD(U) office in Jehanabad, party workers created a ruckus and vandalised the furniture kept there. They raised slogans against some of the senior JD(U) leaders, blaming them for the present situation. They alleged that some of the JD(U) leaders joined hands with the BJP and compelled the CM to file nomination for Rajya Sabha election.