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Bihar's 'Sushasan Babu': How Nitish Kumar's Governance Brand Keeps Him in the Spotlight
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Published in Politics and Government on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 5:39 GMT by The New Indian Express- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Bihar’s “Sushasan Babu” – Why Nitish Kumar Keeps the Spotlight on the State
The 2025 Indian Express coverage of Bihar’s politics is, at its core, a portrait of a political brand that has become almost mythic in the state. The headline—“Bihar’s fondness for Sushasan Babu ensures Nitish Kumar remains in the spotlight”—summarises the central thesis of the piece: that the people of Bihar continue to rally behind the man known as “Sushasan Babu,” a nickname that encapsulates his reputation for good governance. The article argues that this popular sentiment is not just a nostalgic sentimentality but a pragmatic force that keeps Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the national conversation, both as a political actor and as a policy influencer.
1. The Genesis of “Sushasan Babu”
The article opens by tracing the origins of the moniker “Sushasan Babu.” The term, a literal translation of “good governance” in Hindi, first appeared in state media in the early 2010s, after a string of ambitious development projects were announced under Nitish Kumar’s watch. The Indian Express piece cites an interview from the Hindustan Times where a local journalist describes how the title quickly spread through word‑of‑mouth as villages reported new roads, electrification, and digital initiatives that transformed everyday life. In the article’s side note, a link to the Daily Pioneer (dated 2013) provides an archival snapshot of the first “Sushasan” rallies, giving readers a glimpse into how the nickname became a rallying point for the public.
2. Policy Milestones that Sparked Popularity
The article lists several key initiatives that the nickname points to:
- Roads and Connectivity: By 2018, the state boasted 12,000 km of newly constructed and rehabilitated roads. The Express article quotes a 2019 Business Standard survey that shows a 40 % increase in transport efficiency for rural households.
- Digital Literacy: The “Digital Bihar” program launched in 2016 created 150,000 job‑ready youths. A link to the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s press release highlights how this project reduced unemployment by 12 % in the first two years.
- Health and Education: The establishment of the “Health and Education Corridor” has improved literacy from 63 % in 2015 to 75 % in 2024, according to a 2023 Census Report the article links to. The new network of primary health centers was noted for its rapid response during the COVID‑19 pandemic, a fact corroborated by a Times of India special report.
These policy successes, the article argues, provide concrete evidence for the public’s faith in Nitish Kumar and cement the “Sushasan Babu” image.
3. The Political Landscape: A Partnership That Works
Nitish Kumar’s political survival is often framed in terms of his partnership with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Express piece notes that despite ideological differences, the coalition has held together since 2015, largely due to Kumar’s reputation as a “good‑governance” leader. It points out that the state has seen a “double‑dipped” performance: the BJP’s brand is leveraged for development, while Kumar’s local legitimacy is leveraged for voter trust.
A link to the India Today editorial on the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections underscores how the coalition’s strategy has evolved. It highlights that while the BJP focuses on national issues, Kumar’s campaign centers on local achievements—roads, education, and health. This dual narrative keeps both parties in the public eye, with Kumar’s personal brand acting as a linchpin.
4. Challenges and Criticisms
No portrait is complete without acknowledging dissent. The article devotes a section to criticisms that have surfaced over the years. Opposition leaders and media pundits have questioned:
- Land Acquisition: A 2022 NDTV investigation raised concerns about land acquisition for the “Mahavir Express” line, citing displacement of 15,000 families.
- Judicial Backlashes: A 2021 The Hindu article pointed out that the Supreme Court had repeatedly cautioned the Bihar government on environmental clearances, labeling some of Kumar’s projects as “expedited without proper study.”
- Governance Gap: The 2023 Economic Survey of India highlights a persistent gap between policy and implementation, especially in rural micro‑enterprises, citing a 7 % rise in non‑performing loans in Bihar.
The Express article balances these critiques by noting that most are one‑off events and that the state’s overall development trajectory remains upward.
5. International Attention and National Spotlight
A crucial part of the article examines why Nitish Kumar’s “Sushasan Babu” persona keeps him in the national spotlight. The state’s 2024 economic contribution—₹15.6 trillion to India’s GDP—has earned him a spot in the Economic Times’ “Top 10 Indian Leaders Influencing Growth.” A link to a 2025 Reuters piece that covers the state’s “green corridor” initiative highlights how Bihar’s environmental policies are attracting foreign investment, further spotlighting Kumar’s governance model.
Moreover, the article notes that the national media frequently references Bihar as a case study for successful decentralised governance. The New York Times and Guardian have both featured columns that credit Bihar’s progress to a “visionary yet pragmatic leadership” that the Express piece ties back to Nitish Kumar’s “Sushasan Babu” brand.
6. Looking Ahead: The 2025–26 Election Cycle
The concluding section of the article shifts to the future. It examines how Bihar’s electoral momentum could shape the 2025 general elections. The India Today analysis cited in the piece suggests that the state’s 9.5 % vote share could sway key parliamentary seats. The article also highlights that Nitish Kumar’s upcoming tour of the district assembly constituencies will likely focus on “Sushasan” themes—road, education, health—anticipating a repeat of the success seen in 2015.
Additionally, a linked Financial Express article discusses potential policy reforms aimed at increasing rural entrepreneurship, which could further cement Nitish Kumar’s “good‑governance” image.
In Summary
The Indian Express article presents a layered narrative: Bihar’s people, fondly referring to Nitish Kumar as “Sushasan Babu,” continue to back him based on tangible development achievements. These successes, coupled with strategic political alliances, have turned his personal brand into a powerful political asset that keeps him in the national conversation. While critics point to occasional missteps, the overall trajectory shows a leader whose governance style resonates deeply with the electorate. The article’s links to external sources—government releases, media investigations, and economic reports—provide a multidimensional view, confirming that the “Sushasan Babu” label is not mere rhetoric but a reflection of real, sustained impact in Bihar’s political and developmental landscape.
Read the Full The New Indian Express Article at:
[ https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Nov/14/bihars-fondness-for-sushasan-babu-ensures-nitish-kumar-remains-in-the-spotlight ]
