THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Patna, Jan 27: Given the political unrest in the state, sources indicated that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to step down from his position on Saturday and take a number of Congress MLAs with him.
Rumours abound regarding Nitish Kumar potentially splitting from the Mahagathbandhan government, a coalition led by Lalu Yadav’s RJD, and the possibility of reuniting with the BJP-led NDA.
Earlier reports indicated that Nitish Kumar might be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar on Sunday in a renewed alliance between JD(U) and BJP, with Sushil Kumar Modi set to return as his deputy.
Being a crucial member, Nitish Kumar’s potential return to the BJP-led NDA will be an unexpected blow to the opposition-led INDIA alliance.
Bihar BJP leaders cryptic on political developments
BJP stalwart Sushil Modi called politics “a game of possibilities” and stated that “doors which are closed can open” in response to the political situation in Bihar on Friday. But he declined to go into specifics about the matter.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh told reporters following the conclusion of the Bihar BJP core committee meeting in Patna, “Nitish Kumar is still the CM and Tejashwi Yadav is the Deputy CM, what can I say on this.”
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RJD gears up for political battle amidst uncertainty
The RJD is attempting to assemble figures and convey the idea that the party will not go down without a fight. In addition, they are attempting to plan a course of action in case they are unable to prevent Nitish Kumar from winning the Chief Ministership once more.
RJD intends to bring up the matter in the Bihar assembly during the budget session scheduled for February 5 when a trust motion is expected to take place.
The tense relations between the JD(U) and the RJD peaked on January 25 when Rohini Acharya, the daughter of Lalu Yadav, took to X to criticize Nitish Kumar for his comment about “dynasty politics.” Her mysterious tweets have subsequently been removed.
Bihar’s RJD leaders convened at Lalu Prasad Yadav’s residence on Saturday due to concerns that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar would walk away from the party.
Senior leaders, including members of the state legislature, were present at the meeting, along with Lalu Yadav’s wife Rabri Devi, a former chief minister, and son Tejashwi Yadav, the deputy chief minister.
Interestingly, the RJD is the most significant ally in the Mahagathbandhan, which comprises the Congress and three Left parties. In the event of JD(U) led by Kumar withdrawing, the alliance would fall short by eight members of achieving a majority in the assembly.