New Delhi: The stage is set for yet another Nitish Kumar flip-flop. The Bihar Chief Minister is likely to ditch the Grand Alliance (Congress-RJD-JDU) once again and join the BJP-led NDA.
According to sources, Kumar is likely to tender his resignation anytime soon and take oath for the record ninth time on Sunday. This time, he will be supported by the BJP and some other NDA allies.
Nitish is an expert in changing his political partners. In 2017, he dumped the Congress-RJD alliance to form government with the help of the BJP.
In 2022, he again ditched the BJP, accusing the saffron party of trying to split the JD(U) and reunited with Grand Alliance of RJD and Congress. Speculations are rife that is once again ready to take a saffron plunge ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Here is what we know so far:
Until Lalan Singh’s resignation from the post JD(U) president in December last year, all seemed well within the Mahagathbandhan.
However, after his resignation, rumours started doing the rounds that Singh was asked to step down as Nitish grew suspicious of his growing proximity with Bihar deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
It was alleged that Lalan Singh and few JD(U) MLAs were planning a coup d’etat to remove Nitish Kumar as chief minister.
Within days, the ruling alliance in Bihar came on the verge of a potential collapse. Nitish Kumar’s dynastic politics jibe and Rohini Acharya’s response brought all the internal rift out in open.
Acharya, the daughter of RJD supremo Lalu Yadav, had taken indirect pot shots at Nitish Kumar over his habit of frequent ideological changes. The tweet was later deleted but the damage was done already.
Nitish held meetings of JDU MPs and MLAs earlier this week and Bihar BJP leaders rushed to Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The BJP has also changed his stance on Nitish Kumar. His former deputy and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi yesterday said that doors are never closed in politics.
He was refering to his earlier statement in which he had said that the doors of BJP-led NDA for Nitish Kumar has been closed.
Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav has reportedly called a meeting of RJD MLAs. He has given a clear message to his lawmakers that they will try their best to avoid the collapse of the government.
He said that RJD is the leader of the grand alliance in Bihar and toppling the government will not be easy. The Congress party has also called a meeting of its lawmakers.
The ruling alliance partners have sought clarity form Nitish Kumar. A final decision is expected by Sunday.
Agencies

KR Desk