New Delhi: Much before getting inducted in Nitish's cabinet, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain in an exclusive interview to ETV Bharat suggested not to equate him with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as his stature is bigger than him. Shahnawaz Hussain, one of the biggest Muslim faces of BJP considers Kumar as his elder brother.
“Nitish Kumar is like my elder brother, he is more experienced than me. He is even older than me and became the member of Parliament, member of assembly and minister much before me. His stature is bigger than me. He is such a leader in Bihar who is recognised at the national level. So there is no question of any comparison between him and me. As things stand now, I can only say that party has just made me a candidate in the Bihar legislative poll", said Hussain.
Interestingly, in 2019 both Nitish and Hussain had engaged in a verbal spat with each other during the Lok Sabha poll. Hussain is the same leader who had slammed Kumar alleging that he took his Bhagalpur seat.
Replying to Hussain's claim, Nitish too had lashed out at him saying that he had got the ticket in 2006 by-election of Bhagalpur Lok Sabha seat because of him.
Hussain had become the youngest union minister in the cabinet of former Prime Minister late Atal Bihar Vajpayee. However, off late, he was almost sidelined in the party after losing his last general election in 2014.
Interestingly in the changed scenario when BJP was playing the role of the elder brother in Bihar government, Nitish has no choice except accepting and following the orders of the saffron party.
Being a seasoned politician, Hussain too used this opportunity to send a message to Nitish before getting inducted in his cabinet that he has immersed the past.
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Defining his role in the party, he projected himself as a dedicated worker under the leadership of the BJP President J P Nadda. He, however, did not accept that he is going to be inducted in Nitish's cabinet with a big portfolio.
“I don't think your information is correct. I am just a dedicated worker and national spokesperson of the saffron party. I am performing my duty under the leadership of J P Nadda and also the member of the central election committee. My role is restricted to interacting with the media", Hussain stressed.
With the advent of Hussain in the affairs of Bihar politics, BJP wants to implement their own agenda. Hussain had been the member of the lower house of parliament for three terms and now he has got the opportunity to bounce back.
Opposition always projects BJP as an anti-Muslim party but with Hussain, in their city, they can easily defend themselves. The message is also loud and clear to Nitish's JDU who has no Muslim minister despite having several faces as a member of the legislative council.
With this move, BJP has grabbed the opportunity to score first but in all likelihood, JDU too would be making some Muslim as a minister in the much-awaited cabinet expansion later this month.
Not for forget, Nitish had fielded 11 Muslim candidates in 2020 assembly election but all faced defeat after which pressure is mounting on Nitish to induct a Muslim face in the cabinet.
Asked about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state with the special reference to Rupesh Singh murder case which is still a mystery for Bihar police Hussain expressed his concern.
“I had a familiar relationship with Rupeshji and I had taken part in a few of his family functions. When I was coming to New Delhi recently I wasn't aware that for the last time he was dropping me till the flight. I am equally in pain due to his murder but I must tell you that no one would be spared. Good governance prevails in the state and it would be there,” Hussain asserted.
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