The political landscape in Bihar is
witnessing a potential drastic shift as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
contemplates parting ways with the INDIA bloc, leaning towards rejoining forces
with the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, according to inside sources.
In a surprising turn of events,
speculations are rife that Nitish Kumar, in a last-minute reversal, may align
with the BJP, marking the unraveling of the INDIA bloc. This development
follows recent declarations by key leaders Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal,
ruling out alliances with the Congress and opting for solo campaigns in Bengal
and Punjab. Sources added, Nitish is likely to suggest the dissolution of the Bihar Assembly if he does not step down from his post.
Despite initial skepticism among State
BJP leaders regarding Nitish Kumar’s potential return, the party’s top
leadership seems to have resolved to bring him back into the fold, even issuing
a gag order for the State unit.
Caught off guard, the ruling alliance
has been scrambling to pacify Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Sources reveal Lalu
Yadav has reached out to Kumar, while the Congress is actively attempting to
engage him in the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra as it enters Bihar.
For the 72-year-old Nitish Kumar, if he
indeed makes the move, it would mark his fifth political shift since 2013,
oscillating between the NDA and the Maha Gathbandhan or Grand Alliance while
retaining his position as the Chief Minister of the State. His last switch occurred
in 2022, only three years after exiting the Grand Alliance to join the NDA.
Recent signs, including Kumar’s critical
remarks on dynastic politics and a subsequent retort from Lalu Yadav’s
daughter, have indicated a growing rift. The CM’s lack of response to the
Congress invitation for the Bharat Jodo Yatra further fuelled speculation about
his political stance.
Insiders suggest that Nitish Kumar’s
dissatisfaction stems from the lack of clarity in the INDIA bloc’s poll
preparations and feeling overlooked as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate.
Delays in seat-sharing talks for the Lok Sabha polls have only exacerbated the
situation.
The conferral of the Bharat Ratna on
former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur by the Centre is perceived as a
pivotal moment, potentially scripting the turning point in Nitish Kumar’s
political trajectory.
