NEW DELHI: “I’m now again. And, I cannot go wherever henceforth … ,” Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday made one more effort to show his allegiance to the BJP-led NDA within the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.At a rally in Purnea, Nitish Kumar, who has earned the doubtful distinction of being referred to as the “Paltu Ram” of Bihar politics, repeated his defence for previous political flip-flops by blaming his get together for making him change sides. “It was the JD(U)-BJP mix which had shaped a authorities in Bihar, for the primary time, in November, 2005. For one or two instances, I went to the opposite facet, upon prodding of a few of my very own get together colleagues, one in every of whom is sitting right here,” stated Kumar, pointing in direction of Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’, whom he changed because the get together’s nationwide president almost two years in the past.Additionally learn: Is BJP utilizing Chirag Paswan to checkmate chief minister Nitish Kumar?“However, that could be a factor of the previous. I might by no means be comfy with these individuals. They at all times indulged in mischief once we shared energy … I’m now again. And, I cannot go wherever henceforth,” stated the JD(U) supremo, evoking a smile and applause from the PM.Ever because the Bihar chief minister has returned to the NDA fold forward of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he has been attempting exhausting to dispel his “Paltu Ram” picture and show his unwavering dedication to the BJP-led NDA. This was the second time within the final 5 months that Nitish Kumar had made this “confession and assertion” within the presence of the Prime Minister.
Earlier in Might this 12 months, sharing the stage with PM Modi throughout a rally in Madhubani, Nitish Kumar had stated: “I’m going to stay right here at all times. My get together made me go right here and there a few instances earlier, however this isn’t going to occur once more. Who made me CM? It was the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.” Throughout that rally additionally, Nitish had blamed Lalan Singh for making him go astray and had spoken about RJD doing a little mischief.So, why is Nitish reiterating his allegiance to NDA repeatedly?Additionally learn: Who’s Chirag Paswan focusing on – opposition or Nitish Kumar?Nitish, who’s the longest serving chief minister of Bihar, due to his political manoeuvres, has dumped the BJP twice prior to now – first in 2013 forward of the Lok Sabha elections then and once more in 2022 when he accused the saffron get together of attempting to interrupt his JD(U). Throughout his second stint with the opposition events, Nitish had performed a key position in forming the INDIA bloc to problem the BJP. Nitish, who had been the undisputed chief of NDA for nearly 20 years, noticed his fortunes dip drastically within the 2020 meeting elections. For the primary time, his get together JD(U) was diminished to being the junior associate within the coalition because it received simply 43 seats whereas the BJP scored a formidable 74, one lower than the RJD. Regardless of the large hole in numbers, the BJP determined to proceed with Nitish because the chief minister. 5 years again, it was LJP chief Chirag Paswan, who had inflicted most injury to Nitish by strolling out of NDA and strategically fielding candidates in opposition to JD(U) candidates. This time round Chirag is a part of NDA in Bihar.Maybe for the primary time, Nitish is approaching elections with the chances stacked in opposition to him. There might be immense stress on JD(U) throughout the seat-sharing talks if the yardstick is 2020 efficiency. Secondly, there have been a number of media stories round Nitish Kumar’s well being with the opposition leaders questioning his potential to steer the state.Nonetheless, regardless of all these odds, Nitish continues to be an vital consider state politics. His recognition, particularly amongst the ladies voters, is a large benefit for any alliance that has him. Additionally, the caste survey within the state, which was carried out by Nitish when he was in authorities with the RJD, has proven that EBCs, a bloc that he claims to signify, are the most important chunk within the state politics.Clearly, the BJP can unwell afford to lose Nitish forward of elections whilst it could need the JD(U) chief to recognise the saffron get together’s progress in Bihar. The BJP which has all alongside performed second fiddle to Nitish within the state, would maybe this time need to lead the federal government because the senior associate. Already, there are intense speculations on whether or not the BJP will formally declare him the chief minister face forward of polls. Surrounded by all these uncertainties, Nitish Kumar wouldn’t need his detractors inside the NDA to quote his “Paltu Ram” picture to scale back his dominance within the alliance within the subsequent meeting elections.(With inputs from companies)