Bihar: Few Takers for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Words ‘Not to Dump BJP Again’

Patna: Though Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday tried to convince Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president J P Nadda at an official function in Patna that he would not dump the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and it  was a mistake to join hands with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in the past, there are a few takers of his words. Considering the recent buzz and his track record of frequent switching of alliances in the pasty decade, not many people are ready to believe him.

The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader’s “assurance” to Nadda comes amid speculation that Kumar may dump NDA once again and may rejoin hands with old friend-turned-foe Lalu Prasad-led RJD, which is the main opposition party in the state.

In the presence of Nadda, Kumar said there was no question of him going anywhere and it was a mistake twice to join hands with RJD, and that he would not repeat the mistake. “Hum do baar idhar-udhar hue, ye galti hui, ab kabhi idhar udhar nahi karenge”, the Bihar Chief Minister said in his address. His main focus was to assure the top BJP leadership
that he would remain with the saffron party.

In a reference to speculative reports in the media about him switching sides again, Kumar said “we (JD-U and BJP) are together since 1995 and BJP is our natural ally.”

There is widespread speculation in the state after an unexpected close-door meeting between RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, and Kumar three days ago, that it was the “beginning of a new political game” in the making.

What has added strength to the rumour was that some RJD leaders claimed that “something would happen soon” amid Lalu Prasad calling a meeting of all party MLAs, MLCs , MPs and senior leaders on Wednesday.

However, the dominant view on the roads, at tea stalls, markets and residential localities in Patna is that Kumar might be a long-serving chief minister of Bihar, but he is a “Paltu Ram”, so it is not possible to believe his statement or predict his next political move.

“Nitish Kumar Paltu Ram hai ,kabhi bhi palat sakte hai. Un par vishwas nahi kiya ja sakta hai,” said Ram Naresh Shah, a vendor near Patna railway station.

“Who will believe that he (Nitish) will not go anywhere or will not dump BJP again. Tomorrow he will do opposite of what he is saying today. This is his record”, commented Kumar Singh, a businessman.

Similarly, Jai Prakash, a theatre activist, said Kumar was a successful politician because he has been Chief Minister for for nearly 20 years, but he has failed as a leader. “His political credentials are very low. People in villages refer to him and others as ‘Paltu Ram’ for frequently changing sides”.

Political watchers here recall that on January 30, 2023, when Kumar was running the state government with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, he had publicly said that he would rather die than join hands with BJP-led NDA.

A year later, on January 28, 2024, Kumar dumped RJD and rejoined hands with BJP and formed the NDA government. In 2015-16, the JD-U leader had repeatedly said he would not join hands with BJP but he rejoined alliance with saffron party in 2017. He had said “Mitti mein mil jayenge, lekin BJP ke saath nahi jayenge” (I would rather bury myself than go with BJP). This was in 2014, after he ended his party alliance with BJP.

In 2015, both RJD and Kumar's JD-U joined hands and contested the Bihar Assembly elections. They won and formed the government, but it did not last as Kumar dumped RJD in July 2017 and once again joined hands with BJP and formed the government with himself remaining as Chief Minister. Earlier, too, in 2013, Kumar had dumped, an ally of 17 years.

“It is almost impossible to read Kumar’s mind because his political decisions are based on his conscience. Even senior JD-U leaders, including ministers, who spend hours with him, remain in dark till he strikes deal and things emerge in public. JD-U leaders considered close to him hardly know about his next decision; only Kumar knows his next move," a political analyst told NewsClick.

According to him, Kumar has clarified on the recent speculation to end doubts in the BJP camp as well as amplify the fact his support cannot be taken for granted.

“Since the next Bihar Assembly polls are a year away, it is a big compulsion for BJP to retain his support. BJP’s fear of a repeat of 2015 in 2025 is real, if Kumar changes side again” he said.

Local media has reported in the past two days that Kumar's “deal” with RJD has been finalised and a formal development was likely to emerge in November 2024.

The writer is a freelancer based in Patna, Bihar.