Patna, Oct 6: As Bihar gears up for its two-phased assembly elections on November 6 and November 11, all political calculations once again revolve around Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the 74-year-old veteran whose political acumen has made him a pivotal figure in the state’s caste-based and coalition politics.
Despite a series of high-profile switches between alliances over the past five years—from the Grand Alliance (GA) to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and back—Kumar has retained his central role in Bihar politics. His Janata Dal (United) is campaigning with the slogan “2025 se 2030, fir se Nitish”, while the BJP continues to back him strongly. Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the new Jan Suraaj Party, have indirectly targeted him with “age and health” jibes, but none have dared challenge his personal credibility or integrity.
Kumar’s political journey is marked by resilience and strategic manoeuvring. His first term as NDA chief minister (2005–2010) came at a time when Bihar faced a severe infrastructural and administrative crisis, including decrepit roads, erratic electricity supply, and widespread lawlessness. Focusing on governance basics, Kumar delivered results that earned him a landslide victory in 2010.
However, political alliances have often tested his career. Differences with the BJP emerged ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls when Narendra Modi was projected as the prime ministerial candidate, leading the JD(U) to sever ties with the NDA. The decision proved costly in the 2014 parliamentary elections, with the JD(U) winning only two of Bihar’s 40 Lok Sabha seats. Kumar resigned, appointing Jitan Ram Manjhi as his successor, only to return as CM ahead of the 2015 assembly elections after differences with Manjhi surfaced.
In a dramatic twist, Kumar joined the Grand Alliance in 2015, aligning with his erstwhile rival RJD and Congress, securing a decisive victory in the assembly elections. Yet the alliance was short-lived; he returned to the NDA in 2017 following differences with deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, citing corruption concerns. Another alliance shift occurred in 2022, before he returned once more to the NDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Political analysts often note that Kumar’s decisions are dictated by circumstances, demonstrating his adaptability in Bihar’s fluid political landscape.
Women’s empowerment has remained central to Kumar’s governance. From implementing 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions to rolling out direct benefit transfer schemes in 2025, he has maintained a focus on inclusive policies.
Political observers point out that Kumar’s continued relevance stems from the lack of credible alternatives within both the BJP and RJD. Social analyst DM Diwakar said, “The attacks on him indicate that he remains important, as both the BJP and the RJD know that without him, they will find it difficult to navigate Bihar’s triangular politics. His personal credibility and political acumen give him an unmatched edge, despite concerns over age and health.”
NK Choudhary, another analyst, noted, “Lok Sabha results demonstrated the cost for the RJD and Congress of going into polls without Nitish. At present, no leader in the state matches his stature in any party.”
Kumar’s role in the upcoming assembly elections is therefore expected to be decisive. Both the BJP and opposition parties have historically struggled in his absence, and with Bihar’s complex caste and coalition dynamics, Nitish Kumar remains the kingmaker whose presence can tilt the scales in favour of any alliance.
As the state prepares for the polls, one fact stands out: in Bihar’s turbulent political landscape, Nitish Kumar continues to be the figure around whom power equations revolve, demonstrating that experience, strategy, and adaptability often outweigh age or controversies in determining electoral success.
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