Rama Krishna Sangem
Nitish Kumar who has created a record in Indian politics as the CM switching alliance partners for 9th time is sworn in in the same post in a simple ceremony in Patna at 5 pm, January 28, Sunday. BJP which will prop him as NDA partner has got two deputy CM posts and will have speaker in the state assembly. With this, Nitish has ended suspense over Bihar’s political drama that unfolded two days ago.
The 71 year old (born on March 1, 1951), Nitish is one of the socialists in Indian politics and known for his values in today’s politics besides being an able administrator. He has earned the name of Sushasan Babu (good governance leader) He became Bihar’s CM for the first time in 2000, and went on occupying the post in several stints – interspersed with changed alliances.
Of the 9 times he took over as the CM, 6 of them in BJP led NDA while the rest of 3 in the RJD led UPA or now INDIA bloc. This shows he is more comfortable with the BJP, rather than RJD or Congress. He tried three times to move away from BJP terming it authoritarian or communal, but he had to swing back to the saffron camp for his political power and stability of CM post.
Why he switched sides now?
Nitish has surprised one and all by suddenly leaving the company of RJD and Congress and going back to BJP, barely couple of days after consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya. The announcement of Bharat Ratna to former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakuar on the occasion of this year’s Republic Day has came as a backdrop for Nitish’s switching sides. Nitish promptly hailed BJP government at the Centre for this decision.
He quickly followed up by another attack on the family politics – referring to RJD and of course, Congress too. Then, everyone smelt a sort of revolt by Nitish – or jumping sides from INDIA block to NDA. BJP which is badly waiting for an opportunity to get a decent number of MPs from Bihar has lapped up development and readily agreed to keep Nitish as the CM.
Going by tones of analysis on why Nitish had switched sides – from INDIA to NDA – it appears that his decision has been prompted mostly by the political situation on the ground – that BJP might win a good number of MPs in the coming Lok Sabha elections, due to the groundswell sentiments among public in favour Ram temple after January 22. On the other hand, the unity among INDIA partners appeared shaky and uncertain. All other explanations are secondary.
This time, BJP will not keep quiet
Unlike in the past, this time BJP will not keep quiet and allow Nitish to have his way in governance and seat sharing. This is clear from the appointment of Samrat Choudhary as the Dy CM in Nitish’s new team of Cabinet. Unlike previous BJP’s Dy CM choice, Sushil Modi, Samrat will not confine to play second fiddle or lie low to Nitish. Appointment of another Dy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, an RSS man, shows that the party is on an aggressive mode.
After Nitish left NDA and joined RJD-Congress two years, ago, BJP was dismayed over the possibility of repeating its last time record of 17 MPs out of the total 40. JDU won 16 and its another ally, Lok Janshakti got 6, leaving the remaining one to Congerss. This time, BJP’s hopes have gone up as Nitish is back in its fold. Whether BJP yields the same 16 MPs to JDU or not is to be seen. At least BJP hopeful of retaining considerable MPs from this crucial Hindi belt state now.
