January 27, 2024

Bihar's political landscape is set for a major shake-up as current Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is likely to be sworn in for a record ninth time tomorrow. Reports of a switch in government have been rife, casting a shadow over the current 'Mahagathbandhan' ruling coalition. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called a meeting of its MPs and MLAs today, indicating its possible role in the impending change.

The situation has been further fueled by large-scale transfers of officers and Nitish Kumar's solo appearance at the Republic Day tea at Raj Bhavan, without his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. This has led to speculation of a rift between the Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the two parties in the current coalition government.

Amid this political churn, the Congress has called for a meeting in Purnea to discuss preparations for Rahul Gandhi's upcoming 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in the state. While the immediate focus appears to be on the Lok Sabha elections, sources reveal that the Bihar Assembly is unlikely to be dissolved yet. Both the BJP and JD(U) are actively engaging with their respective MPs and MLAs, setting the stage for a comprehensive realignment in Bihar's political landscape.

However, the potential return of Nitish Kumar to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is not without its complexities. Reports suggest that a careful game plan is being put in place, including the nomination of an Assembly Speaker and a cabinet reshuffle. The cryptic statement by former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, "No door is closed in politics. The door can be opened if needed," only adds to the speculation surrounding these developments.

In this political chessboard, former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and his Hindustan Awam Morcha also play a key role, as they are being courted by the BJP to secure a strategic alliance. All eyes are now on the formal announcement of Nitish Kumar's return to the NDA fold and the resulting changes in Bihar's political dynamics.

While the reasons behind this potential switch are still unclear, it is clear that Nitish Kumar's ninth term as Chief Minister will have a significant impact on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state. With alliances and strategies being negotiated behind closed doors, only time will tell how these developments will shape Bihar's politics in the months to come.