Political Changes Looming In Bihar Amidst Shifting Alliances

The political landscape in Bihar could be about to change, according to sources from the Reader Wall. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could be preparing to take his oath for the ninth time, this time with the BJP, on January 28th, 2024. Political meetings have been set in motion across the state’s main party bodies, taking place in Patna on January 27th.

Political Alliances Holding Meetings

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is currently in the midst of a meeting with its political operatives at Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav’s official residence. The RJD had previously aligned with Kumar to form the Mahagathbandhan government in August 2022.

The Congress, another Mahagathbandhan ally, is holding its meeting in Purnia. This is in light of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra which is set to arrive there on January 30th. Gandhi is expected to address a public meeting during his visit.

Bhupesh Baghel Appointed Senior Observer

In the context of the current political churn, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has been appointed as a senior observer for the State. Responding rumors that some Congress MLAs in Bihar are becoming increasingly associated with Mr. Kumar, party MLA Shakeel Ahmad Khan stressed, “our party MLAs are rock solid”, expressing disbelief at such speculations.

JD(U) Meet at CM’s Residence

JD(U) core-committee members, including Ashok Choudhary, Vijay Chaudhary, and Sanjay Jha alongside their party MP from Munger Rajeev Ranjan Singh, are meeting at chief minister Nitish Kumar’s official residence. In tandem, senior party members from the BJP are meeting at a hotel in Patna.

Possible Return to BJP

Observers predict that Kumar may swear in as the Chief Minister at Raj Bhawan on Sunday at 4 pm. Having previously held the position of Deputy Chief Minister in the NDA government, Sushil Kumar Modi is speculated to resume this role as well.

If accurate, this would make Nitish Kumar’s ninth term since November 2005, and the third time since Bihar’s elections in 2020.

ECB Claim Nitish Kumar Looks to Secure His Political Future

An anonymous RJD leader alleges that Nitish Kumar’s potential return to the BJP could be a strategy to ensure a smooth political future. Allegedly, both BJP and Nitish Kumar have their own vested interests – the BJP sees his support as crucial for a third consecutive tenure for Prime Minister Narendra Modi while Kumar aims at trouble-free political life after the 2025 state assembly elections.

In the lead-up to these potential shifts, Kumar visited the Buxar district, where he inaugurated work at the famous Baba Brahmeshwar Nath temple in Brahmpur. Devoid of any RJD leaders presence, the function was attended by his colleague and state minister Ashok Choudhary alongside Union Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey.

Trump of Silence

Despite the swirl of rumors around him, Kumar has refused to comment on the reports of him joining the NDA again. Contrasting with the speculation, State JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha has dismissed the rumors about discord in Bihar’s ruling Mahagathbandhan as media speculation. Yet, he mentioned about the expectations from Congress, their alliance partner, to reconsider its stance towards other constituents and sharing of seats.