In a letter addressed to Nitish Kumar, National President of Janata Dal (United) and Chief Minister of Bihar, Senchumo NSN Lotha, the President of JDU Nagaland, announced his resignation from the post. In the letter, Lotha conveyed his gratitude for the opportunity to work under Kumar’s leadership but explained his decision to step down.
Lotha began the letter with high praise for Kumar, saying, “You are one of the tallest figures amongst the Indian Politicians and Statesmen, and nothing better could have happened in my political journey than getting the chance to work with your good self.” He continued to highlight the profound impact Kumar had on Bihar, particularly in restoring law and order in the state. “The changes you brought about in Bihar in the existing system, especially in law and order which had collapsed, is a living testimony to who you are. The innovative developments that have transformed Bihar from backwardness to modernization is historic and future generations will wonder at how it could have been done in such a marvelous manner,” Lotha stated.
Lotha also expressed his personal gratitude for Kumar’s compassionate leadership, recalling how the Chief Minister personally checked on his well-being during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“When the whole world was under the lock-down grip of Covid-19, I will, most of all, cherish the phone calls you gave me on two occasions enquiring about me and my family’s well-being and so as to know whether I and my family were safe or not,” he wrote.
However, despite his admiration for Kumar and his leadership, Lotha conveyed his decision to resign from the position of President of JDU Nagaland. He explained the reasons for his decision, stating, “I had been looking at Nagaland mainly from the Indian perspectives. I had always been striving from the concept that as an Indian, what can I do for my Naga people? Nevertheless, I have decided to change this outlook and reverse it to reason as to, as a Naga, what can I do for my own people?” Lotha emphasized his shift in focus to prioritizing the indigenous people of Nagaland and the broader Naga community.
Lotha’s resignation is not an indication of a break from the Janata Dal (United) party. In his letter, he made it clear that he would continue to support the party under Kumar’s leadership, saying, “I shall always look forward to the JDU as long as you are there to lead the party.”
Lotha concluded his letter by wishing Kumar well, expressing hopes for his continued success and good health. “I hope and pray that Almighty God will grant you good health and long life. May your sagacity continue to shine upon the backward class of the society in Bihar particularly and the country in general.”