Nitish Kumar to be crowned Bihar's CM after his flip to BJP

The Political scene in Bihar is buzzing with rumours and secret talks, indicating a possible shake-up in the state's politics, with speculation about Nitish Kumar switching teams up with the BJP.

Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, the leader of Janata Dal (United), is reportedly set to take oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the ninth time, this time with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led NDA and dump Lalu Yadav’s RJD, Congress and the ‘Mahagatbandhan’.

Along with Nitish as CM, BJP tends to secure two Deputy Chief Minister berths as part of the alliance deal. Senior BJP leader Sushil Modi is expected to be one of the Deputy CMs.

INDIA bloc struggles to unite opposition

Nitish’s differences within his previous alliance, the INDIA bloc, widens.His dissatisfaction with the alliance's handling of his position, with seat distribution rifts and the demand for an early assembly poll, all have contributed to the strain. Nitish’s anticipated shift, tends to deepen INDIA bloc struggles, with ongoing turmoil within the bloc, leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Bhagwant Singh Mann are announcing their parties' intention to go solo in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

INDIA parties division in Bihar could work in favour of the BJP, similar to how it did in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when the BJP had a big win.

Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, the leader of Janata Dal (United), is reportedly set to take oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the ninth time,

Nitish Kumar, ‘Paltu kumar’?

Over the years, Nitish Kumar as a pendulum has swung from RJD to BJP, then again to RJD and now again to BJP, all for sustaining his position as the CM of Bihar. As Nitish Kumar calls for a legislative party meeting and cancels all engagements for January 28, the anticipation builds around the potential reversal of alliances, reaffirming his 'paltu Kumar' name.

Bihar JD(U) chief Umesh Singh Kushwaha dismissed breakup rumours, calling them agenda-driven speculations. He emphasised the Mahagathbandhan's stability asserting that they are firmly in the opposition bloc INDIA.

He advised them to reflect on their stance regarding seat-sharing. Nitish Kumar, a key player in the anti-BJP alliance, initiated efforts to unite anti-BJP forces. Despite demands, he didn't become the convenor, and the Congress took the centre stage in all subsequent alliance meetings.