Sanjay Kumar Jha is a member of the Rajya Sabha and serves as the National Working President of Janata Dal-United. He is also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Jha discusses the challenges Bihar is facing, such as unemployment, poverty, literacy rates, migration, and GDP growth. He also reflects on what Nitish Kumar has accomplished for the state over the last 20 years.

Jha speaks about Nitish Kumar's health and whether he will be fit for the upcoming state elections. He also clarifies whether Nitish Kumar will be the CM candidate for the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar.

Jha explains the relationship between Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar and criticizes Tejashwi Yadav for his ‘ineffective’ 17-month term as Deputy CM. He also addresses the recent BPSC protests and the possible influence of Prashant Kishor on Bihar politics.

More on the Caste Census, India Bloc, Delhi Assembly elections, and the liquor ban in Bihar.

00:00 – Introduction

00:45 – Bihar: Poverty, Growth & Inequality

06:48 – Literacy in Bihar

11:44 – Liquor Ban in Bihar

16:25 – Crime Rate in Bihar

20:49 – Nitish's Chemistry with Lalu Yadav

23:33 – Why Nitish Left the INDIA Bloc

30:27 – Who Convinced Nitish to Rejoin the NDA

35:18 – Seat-sharing for the Upcoming Bihar Polls

38:23 – Prashant Kishor and BPSC Protests

40:24 – Nitish Kumar’s Health

43:04 – Caste Census

47:35 – Will Nitish Switch Sides Again?

52:54 – 2024 Lok Sabha Poll Mandate

57:35 – Purvanchali Factor in Delhi Polls

1:03:19 – Tejashwi vs. Chirag