Patna:
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar firmly declared on Sunday that he will “remain” in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), highlighting the role of the BJP in his political journey. This assertion came as he addressed the inaugural ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games, a major sporting event drawing young athletes from across the country.
Kumar, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term in office, emphasized his unwavering stance, stating, “I am going to remain here always. My party may have led me to change alliances in the past, but that will not happen again. It was Atal Bihari Vajpayee who made me the Chief Minister.”
The JD(U) leader’s remarks underscore his commitment to the current alliance, despite the frequent shifts in political alignments over the years. Nitish Kumar has been a long-time ally of the BJP, with their partnership dating back to the mid-1990s. However, their relationship has had its ups and downs, notably in 2013 when Kumar parted ways with the BJP over dissatisfaction with Narendra Modi, then the Gujarat Chief Minister, rising to national prominence.
After facing a setback in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and the rise of Modi as Prime Minister, Kumar briefly aligned with his rival Lalu Prasad’s RJD in a tactical alliance, only to break it in 2017 and return to the NDA fold. This alliance continued until 2022, when Kumar switched sides again, joining forces with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan to take on the BJP.
However, in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Kumar made another U-turn, rejoining the NDA, just months after helping to form the INDIA bloc — a coalition of opposition parties united against the BJP.
Despite this history of shifting alliances, Nitish Kumar’s latest statement signals a firm commitment to the NDA, with no plans for future changes, as he prepares for the state elections and the upcoming national polls.
