Bihar Politics: Nitish Kumar on a Sticky Wicket, losing Ground

Editor’s Desk: Just a few years ago, he was hailed as the ‘Saviour of Bihar’, who brought freedom to people from ‘Jungle Raaj’ of Lalu Prasad Yadav and put the state on the path of development, but the situation has changed now. Nitish Kumar, one of the ‘Best CMs’ in India is fighting for survival and turned to same Lalu Yadav as the mentor. He is losing ground and trust of the common people thick and fast.

It was a sheer ego battle between Nitish and Narendra Modi. It started way back in 2007-08 and still continues. Nitish humiliated the BJP many times on the issue of Narendra Modi, but the party swallowed the poison for the sake of alliance in Bihar and at the national level. But, when BJP defied Nitish Kumar and hinted at making Narendra Modi face of the party in 2014 polls, JD(U) snapped the 17-year-long ties and went alone in Bihar. It wanted to consolidate the minority vote bank and win the polls.

Nitish was left isolated in Bihar, while BJP got the support of Ram Vilas Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha. The NDA got a massive mandate in Lok Sabha polls by winning 31 seats, while Nitish’s party could win just 2 out of 40 seats. Out of frustration and disappointment, Nitish resigned as the CM and installed Jitan Ram Manjhi in the chair. But, he could not remain without power for long and attempted a comeback. Manjhi resisted and then turned to the BJP when Nitish remained adamant. Manjhi was ousted in an unceremonious manner and Nitish returned to power, but he angered the Mahadalit community in Bihar.

After running out of options to take on the BJP led by Narendra Modi, Nitish finally announced grand alliance with Lalu’s RJD and Congress. It was his political compulsion and he had to go for it despite serious reluctance. And, BJP got a big opportunity to target him now on this issue. Even, a sizeable section of people in Bihar too do not like Nitish joining hands with Lalu, who had made a mess of Bihar over the years. Modi sought to raise suspicion and anxiety further among the people when he talked about ‘Jungle Raaj Part II’.

Although little progress was made in Bihar in the last 10 years, situation still remains bad and in some cases going from bad to worse. The BJP, with its development agenda, is now targeting Nitish and his government. PM Modi’s few rallies in Bihar and the special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore (plus Rs 40,000 crore for existing projects) have disturbed the permutations and combinations of the grand alliance. The PM and other national leaders will hold more rallies in the state. That will make things difficult for Nitish Kumar.

Apart from the special package, Narendra Modi planned a few others moves such as taking Jitan Ram Manjhi into NDA fold, appointing a Dalit leader Ram Nath Kovind as the Bihar Governor and announcing other assistance for infrastructure development. And, Owaisi’s entry into Bihar politics made things complex for grand alliance. They were certain of getting all Muslim votes, but now they won’t enjoy that privilege in at least 25 seats where Owaisi’s AIMIM will contest the polls.

Whether it’s political compulsion or any other conspiracy theory, Mulayam Singh Yadav, who brought Lalu and Nitish closer, left the alliance ahead of polls. NCP too decided to contest the polls separately. The Left Front formed a Third Front. All these factors work against Nitish Kumar. The BJP, LJP, RLSP and HAM are fighting the polls together under the banner of NDA and remain upbeat about their prospects, while JD(U)-RJD-Congress combine is still struggling to find the rhythm.

Nitish Kumar is worried now. He knows he is losing the ground and stands on a sticky wicket now. Now, he has turned to Arvind Kejriwal and Shafrughan Sinha for support. Will it work for him? Only time will say. Nitish is leaving no stones unturned to recover his lost ground. But, Lalu Yadav remains a stumbling block in his way.

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