The News Freedom
Patna, January 28
In a dramatic political U-turn, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today ended his 18-month alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and formed a new government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking his ninth term as the state’s top leader. The move, seen as a strategic shift ahead of national elections, surprised many.
In 2020, Kumar was a part of the NDA alliance, which secured victory in the state elections, leading to his role in the power structure. However, by 2022, he made a political shift, exiting the NDA to assume the position of Chief Minister within the JD(U)-RJD Mahagathbandhan coalition. Surprisingly, in a span of less than two years, Kumar has reverted to his original affiliation with the NDA.
“Now I am back where I was before, in the NDA, and there is no question of going anywhere else. We will stay together,” Nitish Kumar said while addressing the media after the oath-taking ceremony. He also announced the appointment of Choudhary and Sinha as Deputy Chief Ministers and confirmed that more ministers would be inducted soon.
Kumar took the oath of office earlier today, accompanied by two deputies from the BJP – Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. A total of eight ministers were sworn in, representing both the JDU and BJP, along with one from the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and an independent MLA.
This abrupt change in alliances comes after months of political turmoil within the grand alliance led by Kumar and the RJD. Citing difficulties in the coalition and a lack of progress towards his vision for Bihar, Kumar opted for a dramatic switch, rejoining hands with the BJP, his former ally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the development, extending congratulations to Kumar and the new Deputy Chief Ministers on social media. He expressed confidence that the new government would “leave no stone unturned in the development of Bihar and fulfilling the aspirations of its people.”
बिहार में बनी एनडीए सरकार राज्य के विकास और यहां के लोगों की आकांक्षाओं को पूरा करने के लिए कोई कोर-कसर नहीं छोड़ेगी। @NitishKumar जी को मुख्यमंत्री और सम्राट चौधरी जी एवं विजय सिन्हा जी को उप मुख्यमंत्री पद की शपथ लेने पर मेरी बहुत-बहुत बधाई।
मुझे विश्वास है कि यह टीम पूरे…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2024
मैं माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी जी को उनके द्वारा दी गई बधाई एवं शुभकामना के लिए अपनी ओर से और समस्त बिहारवासियों की ओर से आभार प्रकट करता हूं तथा उनके सहयोग के लिए हृदय से धन्यवाद देता हूं। बिहार में एन०डी०ए० गठबंधन के साथ नई सरकार का गठन हो चुका है। जनता मालिक है और…
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) January 28, 2024
Kumar’s political maneuver is bound to have significant repercussions, both within Bihar and on the national stage. With national elections looming later this year, the Bihar Chief Minister’s decision raises questions about his future political strategy and its potential impact on the opposition bloc. Additionally, the stability of the new NDA government in Bihar remains to be seen, given the history of alliance shifts in the state’s volatile political landscape.