Political Turmoil in Bihar: Nitish Kumar's Alleged Return to NDA Sparks Speculation of Grand Alliance Dissolution

At a Raj Bhavan event on Friday, an empty chair next Nitish Kumar seemed to signal the dissolution of Bihar's Grand Alliance and the chief minister's return to the NDA. This move might provide the BJP a significant boost ahead of the general election.

According to insiders, Nitish-led National Democratic Alliance administration in Bihar might take office as early as Sunday and appoint a BJP deputy chief minister.

With 39 of Bihar's 40 seats won in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the alliance may be able to repeat that performance.

On Friday night, as Nitish was in Patna chatting with his trusty advisers, senior BJP officials were gathering in Delhi, ostensibly to finalize the establishment of the new state administration.

RJD lawmakers, including deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, did not attend the high tea given by governor Rajendra Arlekar earlier in the day, but legislators from the JDU and BJP attended.

Ashok Choudhary, the minister of building development and the chief minister's closest assistant, approached the Tejashwi chair that was left empty by Nitish's side. In an apparent attempt to symbolically announce the Mahagathbandhan's demise, he took out the piece of paper with the deputy chief minister's name, tore it, and sat in the chair.

Throughout, Nitish continued to be deeply involved in a discussion with BJP politician Vijay Kumar Sinha, who is now the Assembly's leader of the Opposition.

As he left Raj Bhavan, Nitish was accosted by media. He instructed them to "ask those (such as Tejashwi) who did not come," avoiding queries on the state of the governing coalition.

BJP insiders think that even while the party's standing has improved in Bihar as a result of the dedication of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, it may not be sufficient on its own to eliminate caste and communal barriers and replicate the triumph of 2019. According to reports, this meant that shaking hands with Nitish was essential for the party.

The BJP also thinks that by completing the caste-based census and implementing other affirmative action initiatives, Nitish has enhanced his reputation in Bihar.

The chief minister of Janata Dal United has gained popularity as a result of the hiring of almost 2.25 lakh teachers and several thousand others for various government positions.

"Nitish's standing in the state has grown. He will win for the team he favors. A top BJP leader said, "It will be better if he is with us."

According to BJP sources, a deal for lakhs of crores or "special category status" for Bihar might be signed to usher in the new NDA administration. They said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could make this announcement on February 4 at his rally in Bettiah, West Champaran.

Former deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi announced the party's changed position on Nitish on Friday. The party had previously said many times that it was closed to the JDU leader.

In politics, no doors are ever completely closed. Depending on what is needed, they are opened or closed. If it's needed, they will open," Sushil said.

Nitish convened a high-level gathering of JDU leaders at his home on 1 Aney Marg after returning from Raj Bhavan.

Attendees included ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Ashok Choudhary, party vice-president and Rajya Sabha member Bashistha Narain Singh, and Lok Sabha member Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh. On Sunday, a JDU legislative party meeting has been scheduled.

Nitish had disregarded Tejashwi at the Patna Republic Day event earlier in the day. Throughout the occasion, the deputy chief minister sat with other ministers on the unoccupied couch next to him.