On Sunday, around 11:00, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned from his post and left the Mahagathbandhan alliance (grand alliance). Mr. Kumar submitted his resignation to Governor Rajender Arlekar. Earlier in the day, Mr. Kumar first met with his MLAs at his residence; after that, he drove to the Governor’s residence. For many days, the news of Mr. Kumar returning to the NDA and BJP was the headline in many newspapers. On Sunday, Mr. Kumar cleared all the questions and speculation, confirming that he is joining hands with the BJP and leaving the Mahagathbandhan and INDIA bloc.
While giving his resignation, Mr. Kumar stated that “things are not working well” for him in the Mahagathbandhan and INDIA bloc. Mr. Kumar had left the BJP-led NDA fold in 2022 and formed the Mahagathbandhan with Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). On Sunday, Mr. Kumar rejoined the NDA, which he had left less than 18 months ago. Mr Nitish Kumar’s resignation was reportedly influenced by internal disagreements within the Mahagathbandhan and issues related to the functioning of the INDIA bloc.
Later, Mr. Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar in the new government with BJP, setting a record ninth time. This is his fifth political turnaround since November 2005. Along with Mr. Kumar, BJP leaders Vijay Kumar Singh, Prem Kumar, and Samrat Choudhury were appointed as Ministers in the new government. Other additional members of council will be decided in a few days.
RJD, an important ally in the Mahagathbandhan alliance, boycotted the event of Mr. Kumar’s swearing-in ceremony as the Chief Minister of Bihar in the new government. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a member party in the INDIA bloc, criticized Mr. Kumar, stating that “betrayal” was his political character. Udhay Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Sunday took a jibe at Mr. Kumar and the BJP by saying that the country is witnessing the rule of “Paltu Rams” and not “Ram Rajya.” Many other leaders expressed their disappointment regarding Mr. Kumar’s political turnaround.
In a crucial time with not much left before the Lok Sabha election, Mr. Kumar switched sides. It is a significant blow to the INDIA bloc. Mr. Kumar was a prominent leader in India, and his return to the BJP-led NDA fold caused concern for Congress and other parties in the INDIA bloc.
