Nitish Kumar’s Potential Return to BJP Sparks Political
Nitish Kumar’s-Introduction: In a surprising turn of events, Nitish Kumar, the seasoned politician and Chief Minister of Bihar, is rumored to make a significant political U-turn by aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the seventh time. This unexpected move, marking a potential reunion with his on-again-off-again ally, has sent shockwaves through Bihar’s political landscape. The political drama is set to unfold on Sunday when Nitish Kumar is expected to be sworn in as Chief Minister, supported by the BJP, according to sources.
The BJP-JDU Alliance Dynamics: Sources reveal that in exchange for their support, the BJP is set to secure two Deputy Chief Minister berths, echoing a similar arrangement following the 2020 elections. The decision to form a new government and swear in Nitish Kumar suggests that the current Assembly will not be dissolved, and a state election will not be immediately called. Given that Bihar is scheduled to hold elections next year, both parties seem content to focus their attention on the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
Political Mobilization and Party Meetings: Ahead of the crucial development, both the BJP and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) have called for meetings with their respective Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to finalize the alliance. The Chief Minister has also met with Governor Rajendra Arlekar, continuing the tradition of a tea party on Republic Day. Interestingly, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, representing the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in the government, was absent from the gathering but is reported to be engaging with senior party leaders.
Calls for Clarification and Speculation: The political climate in Bihar is tense, with Manoj Jha of the RJD urging Nitish Kumar to “clarify” his stance – whether he intends to stay aligned with the BJP or make another political shift. Speculation is rife as sources suggest that Nitish Kumar has canceled all his engagements for January 28, indicating a potential reversal of his 2022 move from the BJP to the RJD, which itself was a response to his 2017 switch in loyalties.
Detailed Game Plan for Nitish’s Return: Insiders suggest that Nitish Kumar’s return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will follow a detailed game plan. This plan reportedly involves the nomination of an Assembly Speaker and a cabinet reshuffle, where one ministerial berth will be allocated for every four MLAs. The realignment is seen as an effort to accommodate BJP leaders within the government structure.
Terms of ‘Ghar Wapsi’ and Adjustments: Crucially, the terms of Nitish Kumar’s “ghar wapsi” (homecoming) allegedly include a reduction in Lok Sabha seats offered to the Janata Dal (United). In the 2019 elections, the party contested 17 seats and secured 16 victories. However, the weakened position resulting from this recent political maneuver and the necessity to accommodate other NDA partners could lead to a reduction to 12-15 seats for the JDU.
The Role of Sushil Kumar Modi: While the BJP-JDU realignment is not officially confirmed, speculation gained momentum following comments from Nitish Kumar’s former deputy and close aide, Sushil Kumar Modi. Modi’s remark that “in politics, doors are not permanently closed” suggests the fluid nature of political alliances. As a frequent critic of Nitish Kumar since their apparent fallout, Modi’s comment holds significance, particularly given his current role as a Rajya Sabha MP.
Internal Divide within JDU: The potential return to the BJP has triggered mixed reactions among Bihar’s political players and has reportedly led to a division within Nitish Kumar’s own party. Lalan Singh, who was recently ousted as the JDU boss by Nitish Kumar, is said to be against severing ties with the RJD. On the other hand, a faction led by Sanjay Jha and Ashok Choudhary is advocating for a renewed alliance with the BJP.
Conclusion: As Bihar braces itself for a potential political upheaval, the speculated return of Nitish Kumar to the BJP fold raises questions about the stability of alliances and the evolving dynamics of state politics. The coming days will likely provide clarity on Nitish Kumar’s political trajectory and the impact of his decision on the political landscape of Bihar.