Nitish Kumar

Patna, Dec. 11: Nature and political matrix have put chief minister Nitish Kumar on test consistently in Saharsa — the heart of the Kosi region comprising three districts and 14 Assembly constituencies that have influenced Bihar’s power balance in a big way since Independence. But each time he has emerged as a winner, epitomising a leader dexterous in converting challenges into opportunities.

Nitish will embark on a three-day Seva Yatra tomorrow to the intricate geographical and demographic region on the India-Nepal border, about 350km north-east from here, that has tested him as well as rewarded him particularly against his chief rival, Lalu Prasad, also known for his sobriquet as “Yadav chieftain”.

While moving out in the region for three days, Nitish is likely to use his tested weapon — remind the people about how the Congress-led government at the Centre was sitting over his three-year-old demand for the special package for rebuilding the Kosi region.

A day ahead of leaving for Saharsa, Nitish told The Telegraph: “I will keep on pressing for the special package for the devastated Kosi region. I have reminded the Centre and the ministers concerned about the demand whenever I have gone to New Delhi. The Centre must have followed up with special package befitting to prime minister's declaration of national calamity.

He might also offer more largesse to the Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs), particularly the panchpaniya caste men and Mahadalits, whom he united by initiating several measures for their uplift and pitted them against the Yadavs’ might.

The panchpaniya — a numerically strong extremely backward caste — had been playing second fiddle to the Yadavs till the emergence of Nitish. Nitish, also known as a “master” of social engineering, identified the numerical strength of the ubiquitous EBCs arming them with financial and political muscle to achieve what was earlier known as “unachievable” in the Yadav bastion.

What has provided an edge to Nitish’s politics in the region is also his government’s aggressive performance. Inundated by the floods recurrently, the area was devoid of roads till Nitish’s arrival on the Bihar scene.

The RJD does not appear to have put in place the mechanism to counter Nitish’s efforts to consolidate on his gains through the Seva Yatra.