Patna: Nitish Kumar will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the tenth time today at Gandhi Maidan, marking yet another milestone in his extensive political career. Although the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Bihar Assembly for the first time, it chose to keep Nitish Kumar as the head of the government. The BJP has also decided to maintain both its Deputy Chief Ministers — Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha. This decision follows the NDA’s substantial mandate in the Assembly elections, which saw them winning 202 out of 243 seats. The BJP secured 89 seats, closely followed by the JD(U) with 85, while LJP(R) obtained 19, HAM (S) 5, and RLM 4.
The Grand Alliance was reduced to 35 seats, indicating a significant shift in Bihar’s political dynamics. As Nitish Kumar prepares to assume office once more, political analysts emphasize four primary reasons for the BJP’s choice to support him as Chief Minister. 1. Nitish Kumar as the Campaign Figure Throughout the electoral campaign, the BJP prominently featured Nitish Kumar’s leadership. Senior leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, frequently mentioned his name to counter the Opposition’s inquiries regarding the NDA’s chief ministerial candidate. Amit Shah, while speaking at a rally on October 29 in Darbhanga, dismissed the doubts raised by the Grand Alliance, asserting that the leadership question had been resolved.
Political analysts suggest that the NDA’s clear victory reflects voter confidence in Nitish Kumar, making his continuation as Chief Minister a logical outcome. 2. BJP Lacks a Strong Statewide Leader Despite its growth in Bihar, the BJP does not yet have a leader with the same statewide acceptance as Nitish Kumar. Senior journalists contend that the party is still facing a leadership void, especially after the death of veteran OBC leader Sushil Kumar Modi. Analysts indicate that the BJP, which has frequently acted as a junior partner to Nitish Kumar, has not developed a single leader with significant clout across Bihar. In this context, Nitish remains the most viable choice to lead the government. 3.
Risk of Losing EBC and Kurmi Voter Support Nitish Kumar has substantial influence among Kurmi, Extremely Backward Class (EBC), and Mahadalit voters — demographics crucial to Bihar’s political landscape. His personal vote share, estimated at approximately 15 percent, remains stable regardless of alliance changes. Experts warn that abruptly removing Nitish Kumar could alienate these communities, a risk the BJP is not willing to take as it aims for long-term consolidation in the state. Some analysts also point out that Nitish has not prepared a clear successor within the JD(U), which could lead to internal instability and voter defection — an issue that currently benefits the BJP. 4.
Stability Within the Central Government The JD(U) is also a vital part of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, contributing 12 Lok Sabha seats to the alliance. The NDA currently holds 292 seats in the 543-member House, just above the majority threshold of 272. If the JD(U) were to switch allegiances, the NDA would still have 280 seats, but such a move could raise concerns among other allies and create a perception of political instability. Thus, keeping Nitish Kumar helps ensure cohesion within the broader alliance.
With the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for later today, Bihar’s political landscape is set for another chapter under Nitish Kumar’s leadership — a familiar yet strategically important decision for the BJP as it seeks to fortify its position in the state.
