Nitish Kumar Bets on Development Through ‘Samriddhi Yatra’, Targets RJD by Reviving Memories of ‘Jungle Raj’

Patna/Samastipur:
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, during his ongoing Samriddhi Yatra, made a calculated political and developmental push in Samastipur — a district long considered a stronghold of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The visit witnessed a strategic blend of development announcements and sharp political messaging, as the Chief Minister attempted to breach the opposition’s entrenched base using what party insiders describe as his “Chanakya-style strategy.”

While presenting a roadmap of infrastructure growth, Nitish Kumar simultaneously invoked memories of the pre-2005 era — often referred to as “Jungle Raj” — to draw a clear contrast between his governance and the previous RJD-led regimes.

Massive Development Push

Laying the foundation of his campaign on development, the Chief Minister announced projects worth ₹827 crore for Samastipur district. He laid foundation stones for 71 schemes costing ₹470 crore, and inaugurated additional projects including:

• 74 schemes worth ₹273.02 crore, and
• 43 schemes worth ₹83.29 crore

Highlighting his government’s performance since assuming office in 2005, Nitish Kumar detailed the transformation of the district in areas such as roads, healthcare, education, and women empowerment.

During his address, he particularly emphasized initiatives aimed at women, often referred to as the “half population,” underlining steps taken to improve safety, education, and participation in governance.

Sharp Attack on RJD Era

Switching from development to direct political attack, the Chief Minister launched a scathing critique of the RJD’s past rule.

“Do you remember the Lalu–Rabri era? People were afraid to step out of their homes after sunset. Communal conflicts were frequent, education was in ruins, healthcare was nearly non-existent, and roads were in pathetic condition,” he said.

Targeting alleged dynastic politics, Nitish Kumar added:

“When Lalu Prasad had to step down, he made his wife the Chief Minister. They did nothing for the people, not even for women.”

The remarks were clearly aimed at reviving public memory of lawlessness and administrative breakdown during the 1990s, a narrative that has remained central to Nitish Kumar’s political positioning.

RJD’s Strongholds Remain a Challenge

Despite repeated electoral efforts, several assembly constituencies in Samastipur continue to resist the NDA’s political advances.

• Ujiarpur Assembly seat has remained under RJD’s hold, with leader Alok Mehta registering consecutive victories since 2015.
• In Morwa Assembly constituency, RJD’s Ranvijay Sahu retained the seat in both the 2020 and 2025 elections, despite a strong NDA wave.
• Bibhutipur seat, once a JD(U) stronghold, was captured by CPI(ML)’s Ajay Kumar in 2020 under the Mahagathbandhan banner and remained beyond JD(U)’s reach even in 2025.

Political analysts note that while Nitish Kumar’s development agenda has made visible administrative impact, entrenched social equations in these constituencies continue to pose a formidable challenge.

A Calculated Political Message

Observers believe the Samriddhi Yatra is not merely a governance review but a carefully crafted political exercise — combining development announcements with emotional recall of past instability to consolidate support ahead of future electoral battles.

By invoking development on one hand and the specter of “Jungle Raj” on the other, Nitish Kumar appears determined to reframe the political narrative in regions where the NDA has historically struggled.