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Alliance shifting and betting more than ever, Nitish Kumar’s visit shows the unexpectedness of Bihar politics – where loyalty is tested, but survival remains the ultimate goal
Nitish soon realized that India block was unlikely to succeed due to lack of consensus on a general leader to challenge Modi. (File Image: PTI)
Although there has been a relatively strong alliance at the National Democratic Alliance Center, it cannot be said for Bihar. recently, Nitish Kumar’s frequent U-turn This volatility has contributed, but the saga began with the weather Vagianic (Meteorologist), Ram Vilas Paswan of Indian politics. Other leaders like Upendra Kushwaha, Mukesh Sahni and Jitan Ram Manjhi also changed the sides continuously during Nitish Kumar’s visit.
Saying that, if the political alliance is clearly defined before the elections and the public knows with whom it is, it becomes easy for the voters to choose the party they like. But imagine the situation when a friend-fingering decides to challenge one of the coalition partners, praising the other. This is what Narendra Modi’s “Hanuman”, Chirg Paswan did in the 2020 elections.
Chirag Paswan’s role in 2020 elections
After the death of his father, Ram Vilas Paswan, riding on a wave of sympathy, young Firebrand Chirag targeted Nitish Kumar and openly declared Modi as a revered leader of the nation. When the results were announced, Chirag was left with only one seat, but he managed to shock Nitish, whose tally crashed to 43 – the lowest since the alliance with the BJP in 2005 . Chirag celebrated the result, as his candidates had ensured that Janata Dal (United) defeat in more than 20 assembly segments.
Chirag Paswan’s campaign successfully created dissatisfaction among BJP supporters towards Nitish Kumar. The election followed Nitish’s second U-turn in 2017 when he broke the relationship with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and returned to the BJP. The main voters of the BJP were unhappy with Nitish, and wherever JD (U) contested, he did not come in full support. Instead, he got an option in the LJP, whose leader was openly praising his leader. Nitish extended one seriously, which set a platform for his third U-turn in August 2022, when he participated in a manner with the BJP and formed the government with Tejashvi Yadav.
Nitish Kumar’s changing political loyalty
Known as a master of political maneuver, Nitish Kumar briefly tried to unite the opposition against Narendra Modi and played an important role in creating a India block. However, Tejashvi Yadav pushed him continuously for a role in Delhi, resonating the works of his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, when Nitish first made a relationship with the BJP in 2013, opposed Modi as the prime ministerial candidate. . On the other hand, Nitish kept Tejashvi happy with random statements, such as “the time has come to take the youth.”
But soon Nitish realized that India block was unlikely to succeed due to lack of consensus on a general leader to challenge Modi. After such a meeting in Delhi, Nitish changed his stand and decided to take another U-turn for reunioning with the BJP. A leader, who vowed, “Mar Jaan Cubul is there but Anki (BJP) is now sixty now Nahhi Jayag” (I will not go with BJP), now it was seen taking another pledge: “Golti be golti Gai, now Kabi Kahin Nahhi Jayag “(I made a mistake, and now I will never change the side). Now, he never forgets to repeat it with every podium.
Ninth term and voter dilemma
Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister for the ninth time last year. However, this process did not require an election, which did not again sit well with the BJP voters in Bihar. The situation is in the 2020 elections, but with a significant difference -the body is strongly behind Nitish. Manjhi and Kushwaha are also in Guna. But what about voters?
While NDA leaders are united, the same cannot be said to their voters. Nitish knows that he won the final election when his popularity as “Sush Governance Babu” (good governance man) was wandering and the BJP’s trusted companions wandering. As he could have his last electoral battle later this year, Nitish knows that Nitish knows. Challenging task of maintaining their relevance.
JD (U) strategy for upcoming elections
JD (U) national president and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Jha, along with other senior leaders, is working on a series of activities leading to the assembly elections strategically to increase the image of Nitish Kumar. One thing is certain – Nitish NDA’s CM will be the face. The BJP has openly supported him after unexpected Lok Sabha results confirmed Nitish’s importance in Bihar. However, Maharashtra now serves as a reference point for similar discussions. BJP leaders still feel that if their party wins more seats, CM may change the face.
The JD (U) leadership is well aware of this possibility. But it avoids making this public. Instead, senior JD (U) leaders planned to overhall the image of their leader and ensured that BJP cadres did not cheat him in the husting. The plan for this started on October 28 when Nitish called the state and district presidents and other leaders of all NDA partners to his residence. Sanjay Jha underlined the plan, which was supported by Emperor Chaudhary.
Creation of unity among workers
The plan soon took a new dimension. Sanjay Jha, reaching the BJP leaders and small allies, plays the role of George Fernandes, successfully assures everyone that if the NDA wanted to win 225 seats out of 243, the ground level workers should unite. “We cannot tolerate any misunderstanding on the ground. Whether JD (U) or BJP, workers need to communicate and work together, “Jha said.
Based on this, a mega plan was prepared in December, which included joint workers’ conferences in all 37 districts, where all five NDA partners will be present. The first phase of this campaign began on 15 January in West Champaran, which included 10 districts. Currently, the fourth phase of this conference is going on, in which Khagaria and Begusarai are covered. According to Jha, the final phase is expected to be completed before the budget session of Bihar Legislative Assembly, which starts from 28 February.
Nitish’s prehisted journey
Along with this, Nitish Kumar called a state-wide journey a Pragati Yatra, which is now in full swing. Sanjay Jha said, “Nitish Kumar’s image is that of a leader who took out the kingdom from the dark era of Lalu era. Nitish ji is not only telling what he has done for the people, but also took stock of the current development works and what should be done in a given district. Quick approval, and travel has become a platform to demonstrate Nitish’s achievements.
More than ever before coalition shifting and bets, Nitish Kumar’s visit shows the unexpectedness of Bihar politics – where loyalty is tested, but survival remains the ultimate goal.
