NEW DELHI: Politics in Bihar has revolved round Jayaprakash Narayan’s disciples —Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav — for greater than three many years. With Lalu stepping again from energetic politics and Nitish now choosing a Rajya Sabha seat over the state’s prime job, Bihar seems to be coming into an unknown part, with a brand new face prone to take over as chief minister.After an amazing efficiency within the just lately held Bihar meeting elections, Nitish filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
“I search to change into a member of the Rajya Sabha within the elections being held this time. I wish to guarantee you with full honesty that my relationship with you’ll proceed sooner or later as effectively, and my resolve to work along with you to construct a developed Bihar will stay steadfast. The brand new authorities that can be shaped can have my full cooperation and steerage,” the 75-year-old politician wrote on X.Though many anticipated this transfer amid hypothesis about his deteriorating well being, Nitish’s sudden announcement nonetheless stunned many who anticipated a smoother transition plan.Within the coming days, Nitish is predicted to win the election unopposed and transfer to the Rajya Sabha, thus resigning from the chief ministerial submit. The Janata Dal (United) chief’s resolution not solely ends the political lineage of JP Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia and Karpoori Thakur in Bihar but additionally throws his celebration into uncharted waters with no clear roadmap for the long run.After Nitish, who?Nitish had lengthy been the “Peer-Bawarchi-Bhisti-Khar” for his celebration. Regardless of by no means managing an outright majority within the state meeting, Nitish Kumar‘s “Sushasan Babu” picture helped the celebration stay within the driver’s seat of Bihar politics for greater than twenty years.Nonetheless, the celebration by no means managed to nurture a second line of command past Nitish. Leaders like Sanjay Jha, Lalan Singh and Vijay Choudhary exist inside the celebration, however none enjoys a mass reference to the JD(U)’s core vote base.Moreover, Nitish has at all times been a staunch opponent of dynastic politics. All through his lengthy political profession, he by no means allowed his members of the family to enter politics in any kind. In contrast to Lalu, who made his son Tejashwi Yadav his political inheritor, Nitish’s son Nishant has remained away from politics.
Amid these ongoing developments, hypothesis is rising that Nishant could make a political debut, with the celebration seeing him as a possible hyperlink to its core supporters.“Now, it is clear, and it has been finalised that Nishant Kumar will be part of energetic politics. The celebration will make a proper announcement in a day or two. Social gathering staff have been demanding Nishant’s entry into politics for a number of years. Now celebration staff and supporters are upbeat with the choice forward of Holi,” senior JD(U) chief Shrawan Kumar advised information company PTI.Nonetheless, Nitish’s brother-in-law Anil Kumar accused Sanjay Jha and Lallan Singh of hatching a conspiracy in opposition to JD(U).“The employees are clearly saying that Sanjay Jha and Lalan (Rajiv Ranjan) Singh are concerned on this… This can’t occur with out a conspiracy… All the employees are saying Sanjay Jha and Lalan Singh’s title,” he mentioned. In dialog with The Instances of India, political analyst Kumar Vijay mentioned that JD(U)’s future appears to be like bleak after Nitish Kumar’s exit from the centre stage of Bihar politics.
“Nitish Kumar’s exit on this method will not be a pure political transition. If it had been a pure course of, it might have been totally different. Everybody says Nitish Kumar’s well being will not be good, however the best way occasions unfolded has stunned many. From what it seems, the way forward for JD(U) appears to be like fairly troublesome. Folks say that Nishant could take over, however he has no political expertise. Additionally, the individuals round him should not very open but, however there appears to be one thing taking place internally that’s stopping Nitish Kumar from talking brazenly,” Vijay mentioned.“On the identical time, the position of leaders like Sanjay Jha, Lalan Singh, Vijay Choudhary and Ashok Choudhary appears to be like suspicious. In a manner, they’ve abandoned Nitish Kumar, and there could also be nobody left able to holding JD(U) collectively. On the employee degree, protests have already begun. Hardcore JD(U) staff imagine that is BJP’s dealing with of the scenario,” he added.Will BJP-JD(U) merge?Kumar Vijay additionally feels that there is perhaps a chance that JD(U) will merge with its ally BJP within the coming days, although not everybody within the celebration could settle for such a transfer.“There’s additionally a chance that BJP and JD(U) could merge sooner or later, although not everybody in JD(U) will settle for such a merger. A number of leaders could resist it. Some leaders inside the celebration could transfer to RJD, whereas others could be part of BJP,” Vijay advised The Instances of India.
“Earlier, JD(U) staff even voted for BJP candidates as a result of they believed Nitish Kumar would in the end stay chief minister. However now many hardcore staff could refuse to help BJP sooner or later,” he added.Nitish Kumar’s resolution to maneuver to Rajya Sabha has come simply 5 months after BJP emerged because the elder brother within the alliance. Within the 2025 meeting elections, BJP emerged as the only largest celebration, successful 89 seats with a vote share of 20.45%, whereas JD(U) secured 85 seats with 19.61% votes.After the thumping victory, BJP appeared much less a coalition companion and extra a challenger making an attempt to manoeuvre itself into the driving force’s seat of energy. It secured a bigger share within the cupboard of ministers and Nitish Kumar additionally needed to let go of the house portfolio.Curiously, Bihar was the one Hindi heartland state the place the celebration has not held the highest workplace thus far.What occurs to Nitish Kumar’s EBC vote financial institution?Over time, Nitish progressively positioned himself because the “poster boy” of the Extraordinarily Backward Class (EBC), which constitutes the most important portion of the inhabitants in Bihar.The JD(U) chief made a acutely aware effort to weave his help base across the total EBC group by modelling his politics on Karpoori Thakur’s beliefs and focusing particularly on the economically weaker sections.After his exit, questions additionally come up over who will get the benefit of the EBC vote financial institution.In accordance with Kumar Vijay, no celebration in Bihar appears to be able to inherit the non-Yadav OBC and EBC vote banks.
“If Tejashwi Yadav had robust management credentials, that vote financial institution might have shifted to RJD. However the largest tragedy in Bihar at this time is the dearth of robust political management. Congress doesn’t have it, RJD doesn’t have it both. Regardless of being a politically mature state, Bihar is going through a severe management disaster,” he mentioned.“Upendra Kushwaha has misplaced credibility. Tejashwi Yadav has not emerged as a grassroots chief. LJP too has change into extra of a dramatic political outfit,” he added.For Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s transfer to Rajya Sabha indicators the top of a protracted political chapter that revolved round him, his fixed alliance flip-flops and his ‘susashan’ authorities. We’ll know within the coming days who will take his place as CM. Nonetheless, the approaching months will decide how his celebration and state’s politics evolve past him.
