The New Indian Express News

Health check-up or politics? Bihar CM Nitish Kumars Delhi visit may include ModiShah meet

PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday left for a two-day tour of the national capital, where he is expected to meet top NDA leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, officials said that CM is in Delhi for a routine health checkup and treatment of his eyes This is Nitishs first visit to the national capital after the NDAs landslide victory in the recently concluded Bihar assembly elections. Officials said that after reaching New Delhi, Nitish will first go to his residence and then visit AIIMS-Delhi for his checkup. Nitish usually undergoes a full medical examination of his body at AIIMS-Delhi at least for once in a year. Doctors at AIIMS Delhi has been monitoring his health for a long time. Nitishs visit to New Delhi is a part of his regular health checkup, said a senior official posted at CM secretariat. He, however, refused to disclose his other programmes. During his stay, Janata Dal (United) supremo is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He is expected to discuss NDAs future strategy for Bihar as the new government has to fulfil pre-poll announcements in the next five years. The issues like cabinet expansion in January are also likely to be discussed during their meeting. The change in leadership of BJP both at the national and state levels is expected to be taken up at the meeting for better coordination between two alliance partners. The appointment of five-term MLA from Bihar Nitin Nabin as working national president of BJP has political pandits guessing about the partys future plans. Another issue that may come up for discussion is the much-speculated entry into politics of Nishant, the only son of the state's longest-serving chief minister. Recently, JD(U) working president and Kumar's close aide Sanjay Kumar Jha had said there was a strong sentiment within the party in favour of Nishant's entry into public life and expressed hope that the reclusive 47-year-old would take a decision. Elections to a few Rajya Sabha and Bihar Legislative Council seats, due in 2026, could also be discussed. With its overwhelming majority in the Assembly, the NDA is expected to be in a position to secure several seats at the expense of the weakened opposition, sources added. The 45-year-old MLA is set to be made full time president of the party after six months. During his previous visit to New Delhi, Nitish had undergone cataract surgery at AAIMS Delhi, which was successful and he returned to Patna after treatment. However, his visit to the national capital has heated up states political temperature. (With additional inputs from PTI)