PATNA, March 18 -- Continuing with his pan-state Samriddhi Yatra spread across several phases, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday resumed the fourth leg from Bahagalpur hours after receiving the certificate of election to the Rajya Sabha from party's working president and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Kumar Jha at his residence. Kumar launched several development projects and schemes worth around Rs.1,151 crore in Bhagalpur and Banka districts. The CM also reviewed ongoing schemes and development projects in both districts. A statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office said, "The CM launched more than 144 development projects/schemes worth Rs.442 crore in Bhagalpur. These include the inauguration of 88 schemes worth Rs.171 crore and laying the foundation stones for 56 schemes worth Rs.271 crore." The CM reviewed various ongoing development projects in the district and directed officials to ensure their speedy completion. He emphasised that once completed, these projects would greatly benefit the public. Kumar also visited Baijani gram panchayat in Jagdishpur block and reviewed the ongoing construction of the panchayat building, Ayushman Arogya Mandir, government middle school. Later in the day, the CM launched several development projects and schemes worth around Rs.709 crore in Banka district." The chief minister inaugurated 278 schemes worth Rs.118 crore and laid the foundation stone for 219 schemes worth Rs. 591 crore," the statement said. Samriddhi Yatra, which commenced from January 16, may have one more phase to complete the entire state for direct feedback from the people, reviewing the ongoing schemes and preparing ground work for new initiatives that Nitish Kumar's yet-to-be-named successor would take forward after power transition in keeping with the pre-poll promises. After the fourth phase, which ends on March 20, the process for the JD(U) president's election will commence. Nitish Kumar is set to be the unanimous choice yet again to guide the party in the crucial phase after relinquishing the CM's chair. "Nitish Kumar is already the unanimous choice and he may file his nomination on March 19. The organisational elections are going on and this is a part of it," said state party president Umesh Kushwaha. Among the 16 yatras the CM has undertaken so far during his nearly two-decade long stint as CM, this one is different, as it is the last before the transition of power in the state as he himself announced with his intention to move to national politics. The transition was not in the air when he started the Yatra, but it gained currency by the time he finished the second leg and now he maintains that the work that he started would be continued by his yet-to-be named successor to take the state towards prosperity. "Bihar will continue to march ahead, and the third roll out of 7-Resolves will take it towards prosperity," he assured the people in Bhagalpur after reviewing the development work, including construction of railway overbridge, Naugachia sports complex, checkdam, cancer institute, Sultanganj greenfield airport, bus stand, industrial area etc. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth Rs.442-crore from Baijani panchayat of Bhagalpur, where he also appreciated the work of Jeevika Didi's. From Bhagalpur, he headed for Banka, where he inaugurated and laid foundation stone of 497 development projects worth another Rs.709-crore and reviewed the ongoing development work, reiterating that Bihar's march towards progress and prosperity would continue. With his election to the Rajya Sabha, decks have been cleared for the switchover, but sources say that he would formally resign once he receives the letter from the secretary General of the Rajya Sabha, informing about the procedure and schedule of oath. Sources said it would happen next month only. Nitish will first resign as member of the Legislative Council, of which he has been a member since May 7, 2006. Later, he will tender his resignation as CM to the Governor to pave the way for a new CM, the name of whom is yet to be announced....