Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to rejoin the NDA, supported by the BJP, for his seventh term in office. With the Assembly remaining intact and no immediate elections, Kumar’s cancellation of all January 28 engagements has sparked speculation about his realignment. There are deep divisions within his party and the Grand Alliance, and his decision may be fueled by friction with the RJD and discord within the INDIA group. As the stage is set for his oath-taking ceremony, the possibility of a reshuffled cabinet and reduced Lok Sabha seats for JDU looms.
Nitish Kumar, the current Chief Minister of Bihar, is set to be sworn in for the seventh time, with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This development comes amidst speculation that Kumar may rejoin the BJP, as he recently cancelled all his engagements for January 28. There have been talks about a detailed game-plan being in place for Kumar’s return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which would involve reshuffling the cabinet to accommodate BJP leaders.
As part of the realignment, it is believed that the Janata Dal United (JDU), Kumar’s party, may have a reduction in the number of Lok Sabha seats offered to them. Sushil Kumar Modi, a BJP leader, also hinted at the possibility of Kumar rejoining the party. However, there seems to be a divide within the JDU regarding the alliance with either the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) or the BJP.
Another interesting development is the courting of Jitan Ram Manjhi and his party by both the JDU and the BJP. This indicates that political parties are actively trying to secure alliances and strengthen their positions.
Kumar’s decision to snub Rahul Gandhi’s invitation and reach out to the BJP has led to speculation about his realignment. It is believed that friction with the RJD and discord within the INDIA group could have played a role in his decision.
The deep fissures within the Grand Alliance government in Bihar have become apparent, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. Kumar dropping hints about rejoining the NDA, along with his expected presence on stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 4, adds further weight to the speculation.
The discord within the Grand Alliance was highlighted when Lalu Prasad’s daughter indirectly criticized Kumar for changing his ideology. These events paint a picture of a politically charged environment in Bihar, where alliances are shifting, and parties are vying for power and influence.
