Nitish Kumar May Switch Alliances Again, Might Share Stage With PM in Bihar

Even though Bihar BJP leaders express doubt about Nitish Kumar’s comeback, the top leadership of the party has firmly decided on the matter, according to sources.

The INDIA bloc appears to be facing a potential unraveling, with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar likely to part ways. Sources suggest that Mr. Kumar may make a last-minute decision to ally with the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Recent developments saw Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal distancing themselves from the INDIA bloc, opting for solo ventures in Bengal and Punjab.

There are indications that Nitish Kumar might even share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Bettiah on February 4. He has called all his MLAs to Patna, sparking speculation about possible political shifts.

The party faces two options: dissolve the assembly and hold simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections or let Mr. Kumar continue as Chief Minister, a proposition resisted by local party leaders. The party is adopting a wait-and-watch approach as events unfold in Nitish Kumar’s camp.

In the 243-member Bihar assembly, the majority mark is 122. The RJD has 79 seats, and Mr. Kumar can potentially form a government with the BJP’s 82 seats and his Janata Dal United’s 45 seats. Amid the political turmoil, the Bihar Governor has canceled plans to travel to Goa.

While state BJP leaders express skepticism about Nitish Kumar’s return, the party’s top leadership has made a firm decision, issuing a gag order for the state unit. State BJP chief Samrat Chaudhary and senior leader Sushil Modi are likely to meet party chief JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

For Nitish Kumar, this would be the fifth change of camp since 2013, oscillating between the NDA and the mahagathbandhan. Signs of a potential shift have been evident in his comments on dynastic politics and lack of response to Congress invitations.

Upset over the lack of clarity in the INDIA bloc’s poll preparations and being overlooked as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate, Nitish Kumar’s frustration grew with delays in seat-sharing talks. Recent developments, including Nitish Kumar’s sacking of Lallan Singh and the Bharat Ratna for former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, have further fueled the speculations.

The Mahagathbandhan allies are attempting to pacify Nitish Kumar, with Lalu Yadav reaching out to him. The potential breakup with Nitish Kumar poses a significant setback for the struggling INDIA bloc, raising uncertainties about its future. Nitish Kumar, seen as a key figure in the formation of the Opposition front, played a crucial role in bringing together disparate elements like the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party. The bloc’s future now hangs in the balance with uncertainties surrounding its key strategist.

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