Last Updated:
New Delhi. As soon as the winter session of Parliament ends, Delhi has now become the center of state politics. On one hand, the Chief Ministers of three important states of North and Central India – Himachal, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh – have reached Delhi with their respective files and demands. At the same time, the presence of Lalu Yadav has increased the political temperature. On the surface it may seem like a mere coincidence, but internally it is a preparation for ‘Year-end settlement’ and ‘Mission 2026’. While CMs want approval of economic packages and projects for their states, Lalu Yadav’s ‘race’ is being considered a part of the new strategy to unite the opposition along with health.
1. Himachal Pradesh CM (Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu): Financial help and ‘Green Bonus’
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s visit to Delhi is entirely focused on bringing the state’s deteriorating economy back on track. According to sources, he will meet the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister and demand a ‘special economic package’. The state urgently needs funds to compensate for the damage to infrastructure caused by the last monsoon and recent snowfall. Apart from this, the big agenda of CM is ‘Green Bonus’. They are demanding from the Center that Himachal is providing oxygen to the country by conserving forests, hence it should get an annual grant as compensation. Apart from this, he can also hold a meeting with the Union Energy Minister regarding the ongoing ‘Water Cess’ dispute with the neighboring states and increasing the state’s share in power projects.
2. Bihar CM (Nitish Kumar): Election promises and special packages
Assembly elections have recently been held in Bihar (October-November 2025) and a new government has been formed. In such a situation, this visit of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is very important. He has come to appeal to the Center to open the treasury to fulfill the promises made during the election campaign. Their main objective is to get the long pending ‘special state status’ or its equivalent ‘special financial assistance’ approved for Bihar. Apart from this, releasing funds for Kosi-Mechi river linking project and approval of new expressway projects in Bihar is his priority. Politically, he has come to discuss the outline and cabinet expansion of the top leadership of NDA after the victory (or situation) in Bihar elections.
3. Madhya Pradesh CM (Mohan Yadav): Report card of agriculture and investment
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s visit to Delhi is a mixture of ‘performance and politics’. He has come to hand over the report card of his tenure to the party high command and discuss the strategy for the upcoming Panchayat/Corporate elections. Since there is a buzz of farmers’ movement in MP, they want to meet the Agriculture Minister to ensure uninterrupted supply of MSP and fertilizer of soybean and wheat. The second big reason is ‘investment’. The CM has come to invite the Prime Minister for the ‘Investor Summit’ to be held in the beginning of 2026. They will also demand from the Center to accelerate the progress of Ken-Betwa Link Project and railway projects approved for the state, so that the pace of development in the state can be shown faster.
4. Lalu Prasad Yadav: Health excuse, politics target
Lalu Yadav’s Delhi race always remains in the headlines. Officially, his visit is being said to be for routine health checkup and consultation with doctors at AIIMS. After his kidney transplant, he keeps coming to Delhi for regular checkups. However, there is talk in political circles that Lalu Yadav will hold informal meetings with the leaders of ‘India Bloc’. There can be a review of the results of Bihar Assembly elections (2025) and a discussion on the strategy to corner the Central Government in future. Lalu Yadav can also be seen active in trying to unite the scattered voices of the opposition after the Parliament session and preparing a new formula of opposition unity for the elections in other states to be held in 2026.
