In the midst of a political upheaval in Bihar, speculations are rife that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar might consider rejoining forces with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a party he parted ways with in 2022. Such a move could spell trouble for the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ coalition in the state. Let’s delve into the unfolding Bihar political crisis in 10 key points:
Nitish Kumar’s Political Journey: Known as ‘Paltu Ram’ for his political maneuvering, Nitish Kumar has shifted alliances between the BJP, Congress, and Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal since 2013. After leaving the BJP in 2022, he aimed to unite opposition forces against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling party in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Karpoori Thakur’s Bharat Ratna Award: Recent speculation surrounding Nitish Kumar’s potential switch gained momentum after the BJP awarded the Bharat Ratna to former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. Thakur’s legacy as an iconic socialist leader, credited with implementing alcohol prohibition, remains influential in Bihar politics.
Republic Day Discord: Nitish Kumar’s solo visit to the Bihar Governor’s residence on Republic Day without his deputy Tejashwi Yadav hinted at internal discord within his party, Janata Dal (United), and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
Sushil Kumar Modi’s Cryptic Statement: Former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi’s cryptic statement, “No door is closed in politics. The door can be opened if needed,” adds another layer of suspense to the unfolding developments.
INDIA Alliance Meeting: The turning point seems to be the January 13 meeting of the INDIA alliance, where Nitish Kumar’s name was proposed as Convenor. However, Rahul Gandhi’s reservations, reportedly influenced by Mamata Banerjee, delayed a decision on Kumar’s role.
Flurry of Activities Across Bihar: Recent activities in Bihar suggest a shift in political dynamics, fueling speculation that Nitish Kumar might bid farewell to the Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc.
Bureaucratic Reshuffling: The Bihar government’s transfer of 79 Indian Police Service (IPS) and 45 Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) officers on Friday adds another dimension to the unfolding political scenario.
BJP’s Strategic Meeting: The BJP’s meeting to discuss strategies for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls hints at a potential alliance with Nitish Kumar. While state unit chief Samrat Choudhary downplays speculations, behind-the-scenes discussions are reportedly underway.
Congress and RJD Reactions: Both the Congress and RJD have called for meetings of their legislators amidst the crisis. However, Congress denies any connection to the evolving political scenario, asserting that the meeting is focused on preparations for Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.’
Legislature Party Session: Nitish Kumar has convened a session of the legislature party at 10 am on Sunday, with reports suggesting that he might officially stake claim to the Chief Minister post for an unprecedented ninth time, potentially backed by the BJP. The situation remains fluid, and Bihar’s political landscape is poised for significant changes.
