Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has decisively addressed ongoing speculation about his political alignments, clarifying his position following a recent meeting with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Kumar characterized his previous decisions to ally with the RJD as “mistakes” and vowed not to repeat them, reaffirming his commitment to the BJP-led NDA coalition.
In a candid statement, Kumar reflected on his political journey, saying, “Going with RJD was my mistake, I committed this mistake twice but will no more repeat it again. We have been with the BJP from the beginning. We won’t go anywhere else. We will continue to stay with the BJP. All the work in Bihar has been done by the BJP and JDU alliance.” His remarks, made at the state secretariat in Patna on September 3, aimed to quell fears of another dramatic shift in alliances that could destabilize the NDA government at the Centre.
Kumar’s recent meeting with Tejashwi Yadav had ignited rumors of a potential realignment that could disrupt the NDA’s fragile majority in the Lok Sabha. As a key ally of the NDA, JDU’s withdrawal of support would pose a significant challenge for the BJP, which is already grappling with a coalition that failed to secure a clear majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Despite these concerns, the continued support of other allies like the TDP could maintain the coalition’s stability.
The timing of Kumar’s declaration coincided with BJP national president and Union Minister JP Nadda’s two-day visit to Bihar, during which he was scheduled to meet with party leaders and Chief Minister Kumar. This visit underscores the BJP’s intent to solidify its alliances and address any potential issues within its coalition.
Nitish Kumar’s political trajectory has been marked by a series of significant shifts. In June 2013, he severed ties with the NDA after the BJP nominated Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 elections. He then exited the Mahagathbandhan in 2017, citing corruption allegations against Tejashwi Yadav, before rejoining the BJP. In August 2022, Kumar again broke away from the NDA to form a new government with the RJD and other allies.
Most recently, in January of this year, Kumar’s departure from the INDIA bloc, which was a key opposition alliance aiming to challenge the BJP, sent shockwaves through the political landscape just months before the general elections. This move further emphasized Kumar’s unpredictable political strategy and his shifting loyalties in the ever-changing dynamics of Indian politics.
As the political landscape in Bihar and at the national level continues to evolve, Kumar’s reaffirmation of his commitment to the BJP signals his intention to stabilize his current alliance and focus on governance, despite past controversies and frequent realignments.
