Nitish Kumar, the chief of the Janata Dal (United) {JD(U)}, recently took the oath of office for the ninth time with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar. This move marks the fifth time in over 10 years that he has switched allegiances, earning him the title of “Paltu Ram” in Bihar politics. His exit from the opposition bloc INDIA also marks a significant loss for the grouping. Kumar’s move has been met with criticism and anger from leaders of the INDIA alliance, who have accused him of being a turncoat and a ‘girgit’ (chameleon).
Kumar’s decision to leave INDIA and rejoin the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was driven by dissatisfaction with the alliance in the state and within the opposition grouping itself. There were disagreements and speculation of cracks between the JD(U) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), with some claiming that Kumar was feeling suffocated in the Mahagathbandhan. JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi also accused the Congress of trying to hijack the leadership of the INDIA bloc, leading to Kumar’s departure.
The reaction to Kumar’s move from the INDIA alliance has been one of shock and anger. Leaders like Tejashwi Yadav, the son of Lalu Yadav and former deputy chief minister of Bihar, have criticized Kumar and predicted the destruction of the JD(U) in the upcoming Assembly polls. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have also expressed their displeasure with Kumar’s decision.
Kumar’s exit from INDIA has significant implications for the alliance and the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The move reinforces the BJP’s narrative of the INDIA bloc being non-reliable and unstable, and boosts the ruling alliance’s numbers for the upcoming polls. It also puts the INDIA bloc in a conundrum over caste equations and reinforces the BJP’s electoral appeal. Additionally, Kumar’s departure raises questions about the viability and existence of the INDIA alliance and puts pressure on the RJD’s chances in the general elections.
Overall, Kumar’s exit is a major embarrassment for the INDIA bloc, as it has disrupted the alliance and raised doubts about its future. His move has reshaped the political landscape in Bihar and has significant implications for the upcoming elections.