Bihar Politics: In the politics of Bihar, the faster the electoral heat is becoming, the bigger announcements are coming out. But this time the step Nitish Kumar has taken, he has not only blown away the opponents, but has once again caught the attention of the whole country towards Bihar. The cost of 883 crores, grandeur like Ayodhya, and politics of Ramayana, faith – this is not a minor thing! Punaura Dham – Where Mother Sita was born – now the Ram temple of Ayodhya is going to be a religious center of collision. What Nitish Kumar’s cabinet approved the scheme, political circles caused earthquake. Now the question is: Are Nitish playing ‘Janaki Card’ before Bihar elections? Will this prove to be his ‘trump card’ in a political war?
Punaura Dham: Nitish’s new ‘religious mission’
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar himself announced on social media and wrote that he is very happy that there will be a overall development of mother Janaki’s birthplace. This scheme of 883 crore is not limited to temple construction-it is the concept of a ‘Ramayana City’, including high-tech facilities for travelers, devotees and tourists, museums, parking, dharamshala, passenger residence, art gallery and pilgrimage. Nitish also said that the foundation stone will be laid by August and construction will begin on a war footing. This entire plan will be put on the model of Ayodhya – it will not only become a matter of religious pride for the people of Bihar, but also a big emotional trump card in the upcoming election.
I am very happy to say that the plan to construct other structures including the grand temple to develop the birthplace of the world mother Janaki, Sitamarhi in the overall way has been approved by the cabinet today. Today, the cabinet was prepared for the overall development of Punaradham… pic.twitter.com/jfdaqpm1bm
– Nitish Kumar (@Nitishkumar) July 1, 2025
Not just a temple, election bugle!
It is not a coincidence that Nitish Kumar has announced this when the assembly elections are being heard 2025. For the last few months, Nitish has been continuously announcing new schemes – sometimes employment, sometimes caste survey, and now religion. Nitish’s political balance has been continuously changing since its separation from BJP in 2024, and now this ‘religious declaration’ is considered a part of his changed strategic thinking. Political analysts believe that Nitish now wants to compete with BJP’s ‘Ram’ Narrative with ‘Sita’ Narrative. That is, while the BJP connected Hindu sentiments throughout the country with the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Nitish now wants to cash in on the feelings of Biharis in the name of ‘Maa Janaki’.
Why is Punaura Dham so important?
Punaura Dham is located in Sitamarhi district of Bihar and is known as the birthplace of mother Sita. It is the place associated with the Ramayana, which is often considered neglected compared to Ayodhya. For Nitish Kumar, this announcement is not just a development project, but an attempt to bring the religious identity of Bihar on the national stage. Nitish wants devotees from all over the country to come here like Ayodhya. This will not only promote Bihar’s religious tourism economy, but Nitish will get an opportunity to appear from the image of a ‘secular leader’ as a ‘religion-comprehensive nationalist’ leader.
In a week, another cabinet meeting – what does it mean?
It is worth noting that this meeting of Nitish cabinet is second in a week, in which a total of 24 agendas were approved. It is clear that the government has now come into electoral mode. Last week, 46 proposals were approved, including the selection of Saraswati Press of Kolkata for printing of ballots. This is a clear indication of the government that now every decision, every plan and every step is part of the electoral strategy. And when the decision is related to religion, its political impact is also very deep.
Nitish’s peace or politics? Opposition attack
The opposition has raised questions calling the move an election stunt. Both RJD and BJP have asked that when Nitish has been sitting on the CM’s chair for the last 19 years, then why suddenly this religion was awakened? Is this scheme really associated with the grandeur of mother Janaki, or is it Nitish’s last election weapon? The BJP has termed it as part of the Soft Hindutva strategy of the INDIA alliance, while the RJD calls it a move to mislead the public.
Sita’s rise in the politics of Bihar!
There are usually issues like caste, reservation, unemployment and prohibition in Bihar’s politics. But now ‘Dharma’ and ‘Aastha’ have once again come to the center. After Ayodhya, if a religious place can make headlines all over India, then it is Punaura Dham. And at this time its announcer has become – Nitish Kumar. Now it remains to be seen whether mother Janaki’s faith will be able to cross Nitish as the electoral string? Or will this bet be upside down? But at the moment, mother Sita has returned to the politics of Bihar … and this time there is not just lotus, a new strategy!