Nitish Kumar, enter as elder statesman

Nitish Kumar has done what is merely the thinkable in Indian politics: he has given up a bit of power. After turning 75 on March 1, on Monday, he resigned as member of legislative council and will move to Rajya Sabha - fittingly, 'House of Elders' - early April. In a land where pledges are treated like disposable cutlery - used once, bent out of shape and tossed - Kumar's adherence to the unofficial 'age pledge' of stepping off the saddle at 75 is commendable, especially coming from the gent dubbed as 'Paltu Ram' for his constant political flip-flops.

Politicians cling to power like toddlers to candy. And the 10-time Bihar CM still retains the Big Chair. But he's given the signal for moving from the dust and dirt of state administration to the lawns of national statesmanship. Rajya Sabha tomorrow. Who knows, governorship day after tomorrow, or even the Big P at Rashtrapati Bhavan one day? Kumar's move is both commendable and gently funny: trading the chaos of Bihar's assembly for the soporific hum of parliamentary debates. But in a country where leaders often outlast their own statues, Kumar has shown that political dignity - even in instalments - can mean knowing when to exit stage left. The applause may be polite, the jokes inevitable, but the gesture itself is worth a toast: Nitish Kumar has kept his word. And, in politics, that's revolutionary.