'Will be pleasure to see him in Parliament once again': PM Modi congratulates Nitish Kumar, now a Rajya Sabha MP

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar after the outgoing Bihar chief minister was sworn in as a Rajya Sabha MP, marking his return to Parliament after more than two decades."Shri Nitish Kumar is one of the most experienced leaders in the country. His commitment to good governance has been appreciated everywhere. He has made an indelible contribution to the development of Bihar. It will be a great pleasure to see him in Parliament once again. He has also served for many years as a Member of Parliament and Union Minister," PM Modi wrote on X."I am fully confident that his long political experience will further enhance the dignity of Parliament. Heartiest congratulations to him on taking oath as a Rajya Sabha MP and best wishes for his tenure ahead," he added.The prime minister also congratulated Rajya Sabha deputy chairman and JD(U) leader Harivansh Narayan Singh after President Droupadi Murmu nominated him to the Upper House for a third term."Shri Harivansh Ji has made invaluable contributions to journalism and public life. He is a respected intellectual and thinker. With his profound thoughts and insights, he has enriched the proceedings of the House over the past few years. I am delighted that the Honorable President has nominated him to the Rajya Sabha," Prime Minister Modi posted.Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihar chief minister for a record tenth term following the ruling NDA’s landslide victory in the state assembly elections in November last year. Apart from a brief eight-day stint in March 2000, he has held the post since November 2005, despite frequently shifting political alliances. The only interruption came between May 2014 and February 2015, when he stepped down and Jitan Kumar Manjhi, then a member of the JD(U), assumed office. His move to the Rajya Sabha paves the way for ally BJP to have its first chief minister in Bihar. The BJP emerged as the largest party in the state in the assembly polls, followed by the JD(U).