It was one of the rare moments when the CM Nitish Kumar did not speak in the Bihar Legislative Council. Thursday, being Nitish's birthday, he was advised by the council chairman Tara Kant Jha not to speak in the House at least on his birthday. Nitish, in turn, accepted the birthday greetings from members wearing his broad smile.

Intervening during the question hour in the pre-lunch session, JD(U) member Aslam Azad rose on his feet and congratulated CM who was sitting in the House. "Jo kabhi dube nahi aise sitare hein Nitish....jisko dekho wahi kahta hai Nitish", Azad recited exclusively for the CM amidst loud applause from the other members in the House. Azad then recited his own composed poem in Nitish's honour -- "Muslim aur Hindu sabke sine mein rahte hein......dil to kya cheese hai.. ...ye jaan se pyare hein Nitish".

It was quite an emotional moment when members cutting across the party lines praised the CM for his commitment towards the development of Bihar.

Leader of the opposition in the council Ghulam Gaus (RJD) while congratulating the CM said his relationship with him goes back to the days of 1974 movement in Bihar. Nawal Kishore Yadav (RJD) said now he (read Nitish) should take over the prestigious post of PM. "Only after he becomes PM, Bihar will get its proper due," Yadav said.

Kedar Nath Pandey ( CPI) while wishing the CM on his birthday said Nitish has now become the synonymous to Bihar. Nitish has shown a path of sustained development in Bihar which is bound to develop now, he said.

Basudeo Singh ( CPM) echoed similar views when he said: "I wish that he would lead the nation now."

The deputy chairman Salim Parvez while quoting verses from the Quran on the occasion, said now a Bihari should become the PM.

The deputy leader of the ruling party in the council Ramashraya Prasad Singh was emotional when he said the entire world is looking at Nitish. "I have been serving the people of Bihar since 1962. I have seen several stalwarts including Srikrishna Sinha, the first CM of Bihar but Nitish is incredible," he said.