Nitish Kumar is set to form an alliance with the BJP. (File)Patna:
Nitish Kumar is poised for another significant political shift in less than three years and is expected to rejoin forces with the BJP today. He has stepped down as Bihar Chief Minister to initiate the process. Here are 10 updates on the Bihar political uncertainty:After a period of indecision, Nitish Kumar and his party Janata Dal (United) have decided today to leave the struggling Opposition alliance and are anticipated to form an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.The 72-year-old met with Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar today and resigned as the Chief Minister.This marks his eighth resignation in a political career marked by initial acclaim for good governance, but subsequently tarnished by his repeated shifts in political allegiance, which impacted his popularity and his party JDU’s electoral influence.Sources informed NDTV that instead of Nitish Kumar stepping down, the BJP had proposed the reshuffling of the Bihar cabinet by replacing RJD ministers with its own MLAs.All BJP MLAs in Bihar have reportedly provided letters of support to Nitish Kumar, according to sources. The BJP and JD(U) have also finalized an arrangement for sharing seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, which is scheduled to take place in three months.The announcement has prompted the RJD and the Congress to convene several meetings to discuss their course of action following Mr. Kumar’s departure. JD(U) was a key member of the Opposition’s INDIA bloc, a coalition aiming to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha polls.In the 243-member Bihar Assembly, the RJD has 79 MLAs, followed by the BJP’s 78, the JD(U)’s 45, the Congress’s 19, the CPI (M-L)’s 12, two each of the CPI(M) and CPI, four seats for the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and one for the AIMIM, in addition to one Independent legislator.RJD leaders met at the residence of national vice-president and former chief minister Rabri Devi yesterday, who shares her government bungalow with Tejashwi Yadav, her son, and husband Lalu Prasad, the party president.According to sources, Tejashwi Yadav told party leaders that the game in Bihar is yet to begin.”We managed to achieve what had not been accomplished in two decades within a short time- such as employment, caste census, and increased reservation, etc. ‘Bihar mein abhi khel hona baki hain’ (The game is yet to begin in Bihar)” Mr. Yadav reportedly said.
Post a comment
