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Bihar: The Dilemma of Leadership

By Rohit Sinha

July 3, 2008

India's tryst with destiny began on the historic day of August 15th 1947,when a sagacious statesman Pd. Jawahar Lal Nehru took over as Independent India's first PM.

Ironically the Man next to him in the cabinet was Legendary Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel; the first Deputy PM cum Home Minister of India, often regarded as the greatest Prime Minister India never had. However, the search of leadership was taken care of in later years; when some of India's best known charismatic revered leaders became PMs. This list included likes of Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Morarji Desai and A B Vajpayee.

Bihar's first government (recalled as the most successful) had the dubious distinction of following the course of country's first cabinet. It also had two revered Gandhian leaders as two centres of power; Bihar Kesari Sri Krishna Singh as CM and his close colleague Bihar Vibhuti Anugrah Narayan Sinha as next to him in Cabinet; serving as the Finance Minister.

Historians believe while Sri Babu and Anugrah Babu complemented each other perfectly and made an excellent pair of administrators, showering state with both wealth and wisdom (Bihar ranked first in nation's first Five Year Plan and was considered best administrated state in the country); Bihar could not have the opportunity of having Anugrah N Sinha as CM (although scholarly documentation reveal that Anugrah Narain's name was doing the round for taking as first Bihar CM in as early as in 1937; but his close relations and legendary bond with his old friend and brilliant orator Sri Babu prompted the humble leader to deny the offer and suggest name of Sri Krishna Singh as CM; which was then accepted (his magnanimity made a grand national news then; all across the country and was widely reported and discussed in national dailies like the Times and the Searchlight; even Delhi's circles regarded the sacrifice as exceptional and of far reaching consequence). The first Speaker of Bihar assembly, Late Ram Dayalu Singh wanted Anugrah Babu as CM because not only he was much humble but also had the rare blend of brilliance and foresight through which he was able to connect and inspire the masses easily.

After both the legendary makers of modern Bihar made their transition in 1960s';after being at helm of affairs for 16 years. There were many takers for the leadership in the then second generation of young seasoned statesmen.

Bihar did had a few in Pandit Binodanand Jha, Satyendra Narayan Sinha, K B Sahay, Mahamaya Prasad Sinha and B P Mandal.

However it was only the start of turbulent times with chief ministers being flushed in and out and governments formed and dismissed in the 1970s.

After the historic 1977 revolution, finally after many years Bihar had two charismatic leaders of great public spirit and eminence as CM candidates. The Janata Party was in power and had to choose from then Janata Party President and the architect of JP's 1977 complete revolution movement in Bihar Veteran leader Satyendra Narayan Sinha; his candidacy was challenged by another eminent leader Karpoori Thakur who finally won the battle and was sworn in as the CM. However he could not last long as the powerful adversary Satyendra Narayan Sinha placed a young Ram Sundar Das for Chief Ministership and Karpoori Thakur was replaced as CM.

Then came the 1980's; to begin with there were simply many changes in CM's chair. Even a seasoned stalwart S N Sinha who himself could not have had the Chief Ministership both in 1960's and in 1977 was made the CM in his twilight years. But his dynamic short span was characterised by infighting in the Congress Party and Bihar could not benefit fully from his vast experience and administrative skills.

Once a staunch follower of Satyendra Narayan Sinha and Karpoori Thakur; Lalu Prasad Yadav took the helm of affairs from 1990 as Janata Dal CM defeating former CM Ram Sundar Das in leadership battle; he ran the government directly and indirectly till 2005.

The present CM; also a young leader of 1977 movement and close to the then Janata Party stalwarts like Karpoori Thakur and S.N. Sinha is trying to change the destiny of Bihar. After so many decades, a popular leader with both foresight and public spirit is in the office.

Bihar and its people had many expectations with Mr. Nitish Kumar and he is willing to follow the footsteps of likes of Sri Babu and Anugrah Narayan Sinha in making Bihar glorious again.

The state is at a historic moment again and this time seems there is no dilemma!

Comments:

A good collection of both historical facts and contemporary information. Bihar has always proved that it is destined to lead the nation and history is the proof; whether Gandhi's 1917 Satyagraha or JP's 1977 movement. Bihar has exemplified the way for the entire country. Taking lesson and inspiration from the likes of Rajendra Babu, Sri Babu, Anugrah Babu. The state must endeavour to show again; yes we are Biharis and are very proud of it! - Er Aditya Kumar - July 9, 2008

A very thoughtful and informative piece of information.

I remember my granddad Shankar Sharan (a 1955 batch Bihar cadre IAS) used to say "There was a time in 1950s when if someone knew that a person is from Bihar; he was viewed with respect being from the state that gave the country the first President and also was famous for its excellent governance". It was the era of Sri Babu, Anugrah Babu; the two legendary founders of modern Bihar.

Biharis have proved their worth in all aspects of life along the length and breadth of the country. IIT'ians, IIM pass-outs, civil servants. Today we are at the threshold of change and change is inevitable, I am optimistic that our future is very bright and that we will lead the way as we have done in the past! - Saumya Sharan - July 11, 2008

Very inspiring and well presented facts. Bihar has been blessed by great statesmen like Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan, Sri Krishna Singh, and Jay Prakash Narayan. The young generation must draw inspiration from the great founding fathers of Bihar and must endeavour to make our state prosperous. - Anmol - July 11, 2008

A very thoughtful and inspiring presentations. Truly our state has had an golden era once; the need of the hour is to make a collective effort to bring back the name and glory of the state.

Mr. Lalu Prasad's 15 year old rule seemed to have put development in the reverse direction!

We are very optimistic with the present govt. headed by most capable Nitish ji. His political mentors S N Sinha and Karpoori ji had contributed immensely to Bihar; both as great statesmen of unimpeachable integrity and as state's chief ministers too.

We hope for a better day in years to come and that day is not far away! - Prerna - July 12, 2008

A very factual and inspiring presentation.

There was a time in the early '40s when the nation was gasping to breath the air of freedom; people of Bihar knew of only three men, Rajendra Prasad, Sri Krishna Babu, Anugrah Narayan who they believed would change their destiny forever; and those legendary statesmen really did!

Rajendra Prasad, Sri Krishna Singh, Anugrah Babu are not mere names; they are the history of modern independent Bihar. These sagacious men made possible for the coming generation to breathe free and gave us a great opportunity to work for our nation.

They may not be anymore; still we reap the fruits that are a cumulative result of their selfless dedication and vision.

Bihar; young Bihar, vibrant Bihar must draw inspiration from their lives and must show up to the country and world!... Yes we are from Bihar and we are very proud of it.

Salute to the great souls of Bihar's architects! - Amar - July 15, 2008

Rohit Sinha's article on Bihar's Leadership seems to be like a typical sub-nationalistic outpouring masquerading as pride, where the "intellectual" reference, if any, is to a top-down and a white-washed history of Bihar. In doing so he absolves not only what we must do but also what non-political actors have done.- Rajesh Pradhan - July 15, 2008

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