As Bihar governor, Ram Nath Kovind avoided confrontation with CM Nitish Kumar

NEW DELHI: NDA’s presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind avoided any confrontation with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar while he was governor of the state, unlike his counterparts in many other states. His tenure in Bihar is remembered for the appointments of vice-chancellors of various universities without provoking any controversy.

This was in contrast with the alleged tussle between Raj Bhavan and the state government over the appointment of VCs in the past.

Kovind, who enjoyed cordial relations with the CM, took little time to clear the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Bill, 2016, which opposition parties had used to target the Nitish Kumar government for incorporating some stringent provisions in it.

“His decision to approve the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Bill was surprising. He could have referred the bill to the President and it might have troubled the Nitish government,” said a Bihar government official.



As governor, Kovind preferred to hold consultation with the authorities concerned in the state government, particularly in matters relating to the appointments of VCs. The search committee, meant for the appointment of VCs, was allowed to function independently. “He cleared the appointments only after holding consultation with the state government,” said a person familiar with the matter.

Recently, he invited several education experts at the conference of VCs. He also asked VCs to share the challenges they faced in the functioning of their offices. Last year, he had invited chairman of the UGC at such a conference, an official said.

Another official recalled that Kovind watched a play, Chanakya, in Mumbai. “He was highly impressed by the play, which has references of Bihar in its plot. He invited the artists to perform the play at Raj Bhavan. Ministers and bureaucrats were invited to watch the play.” Kovind’s office first collected feedback from the district administrations concerned about the organisations which invited the governor to attend any function.

“He confirmed his attendance only after getting feedback from the administrations concerned about the organisation and the persons associated with it,” an official said.