Nitish Kumar’s BJP Move: Tensions Rise in Bihar’s Ruling Coalition

Bihar Politics Latest Updates

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has sparked political upheaval amid rumors of him joining the BJP-led NDA alliance, potentially marking his fourth move in the past decade and the second in this term. The ruling coalition in Bihar, comprising Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, appears to be on the brink of dissolution, with lawmakers mobilizing and meetings held over the weekend.

Reports suggest that Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) may exit the current coalition with Rashtriya Janata Dal and align with the BJP-led NDA, paving the way for his possible reinstatement as Chief Minister. The internal discord escalated as all political parties conducted meetings, and BJP State President Samrat Choudhary traveled to Delhi for discussions with senior party leaders.

 

Tensions within the ruling alliance surfaced during Republic Day celebrations when Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav was absent, highlighting the strain. Nitish Kumar’s presence at Raj Bhavan, while conversing with the leader of the opposition, Vijay Kumar Sinha, hinted at political shifts. The BJP’s stance, as expressed by former Deputy CM Sushil Modi, emphasized that in politics, doors are not permanently closed, leaving room for strategic decisions.

Insiders suggest that if he aligns with the BJP, he may continue as Chief Minister until the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with discussions ongoing about his possible deputy. The BJP’s key leaders convened in Delhi and Patna after a meeting led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, indicating the seriousness of the situation.

As political maneuvering unfolds, concerns arise within the Congress about the potential instability in the Bihar administration during Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The timing of Nitish Kumar’s actions becomes crucial, and there are speculations about significant political shifts within the state.

The JD(U) holds 45 seats in the 243-member Bihar assembly, while the NDA, with a total of 82 seats, falls short of the 122 needed to form the government. Nitish Kumar’s political journey, marked by alliances and realignments, has played a pivotal role in Bihar’s political landscape over the past decade.

A crucial factor behind Chief minister’s potential discontent is the changing dynamics within the INDIA bloc, where Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge emerged as the conference’s chairman. Unanswered questions about CM’s role as convener and dissatisfaction with coalition cooperation speed further complicate the situation.

Amid uncertainties, opinions within the NDA vary, with partner Upendra Kushwaha expressing doubts about chief ministers reliability and the possible outcome of the BJP-JD(U) realignment. The weekend meetings are anticipated to shed light on the future course of Bihar’s political landscape.

Key Highlights: Recent Developments in Bihar Politics

Lately, the Bihar CM has voiced dissatisfaction with the INDIA bloc, citing a lack of a top leadership position within the alliance, despite his extensive political experience.

There is increasing evidence in the media that the JD(U)-RJD coalition is becoming more polarized, with Bihar chief minister he perhaps siding with the BJP-led NDA in order to form a new administration in the state.

Speculations about an RJD-JD(U) rift gained traction when Rohini Acharya, daughter of RJD supremo Lalu Yadav, commented on him, suggesting that he is “altering his ideology like the wind changes direction” in a recent social media post.

Intensifying the speculation, JD(U) and RJD conducted separate meetings on Thursday night. Former Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi remarked that the BJP’s “doors never closed” for CM.

The BJP has hinted at the potential of making amends with its friend-turned-foe, and the RJD has called a meeting of its MPs for this Saturday, while the JD(U) has set their gathering for this Sunday.

For now, there is anxiety and anticipation in Bihar.