Patna (Bihar): After Bihar assembly elections dates were declared, political parties all set to fight for the Chief Minister's seat.
To hold his position for another five years, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar entrusted the responsibility to his most faithful five supporters.
Also read: Nadda to meet top Bihar leaders over election strategy, seat sharing
Widely dubbed as Nitish's ‘Pancharatnas’ (five jewels), these persons are likely to become the key faces of JDU in the forthcoming assembly election.
Who are these ‘Pancharatnas’ of Nitish Kumar?
1. RCP Singh
The first among Nitish Kumar’s confidants is RCP Singh, who is the national general secretary of his party and has been looking after the party affairs for the last many years. A former IAS officer, RCP Singh is among Nitish Kumar’s closest. At present, he is the leader of the legislature party in Rajya Sabha.
2. Lalan Singh
The second among Nitish Kumar ‘Pancharatnas’ is Lalan Singh. His friendship with Nitish Kumar goes back a long time. Nitish Kumar consults Lalan Singh on many of his decisions. Lalan Singh is believed to have played a major role in forging an alliance with the BJP the second time. He had been the state president of JDU as also a minister. At present, he is the legislature party leader in the Lok Sabha.
3. Vijay Choudhary
The third is Bihar Assembly Speaker Vijay Choudhary. Vijay Choudhary had also been the state JDU president. He is always seen with CM Nitish Kumar at all important functions and meetings of the party. Vijay Choudhary has remained MLA from Sarai Ranjan for two terms and is expected to contest the election again for the third time.
4. Sanjay Jha
The fourth name among the ‘Pancharatnas’ is that of Sanjay Jha. He was earlier with the BJP but joined the JDU because of his proximity with Nitish Kumar at a time when JDU was with the NDA. Sanjay Jha has a very good relationship with many of the central leaders of BJP. Nitish Kumar has been consulting Sanjay Jha on many important matters. He has been a trump card for Nitish Kumar from Patna to Delhi.
5. Ashok Choudhary
The fifth name among Nitish Kumar’s ‘Pancharatnas’ is that of Ashok Choudhary who had once been the state president of the Congress. He has been having a good relationship with Nitish Kumar since long. He left the Congress and joined the JDU along with several of his colleagues. Now he is one of the closest with Nitish Kumar.
