Amidst rumours of Nitish Kumar’s comeback, BJP leaders set to meet in Patna

Amidst speculation about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s potential return to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde announced a meeting of Bihar BJP leaders scheduled to take place in Patna over the weekend.

Tawde stated, “There is a meeting of Bihar BJP leaders to discuss the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The state executive meeting of Bihar BJP has been called on 27th and 28th January in Patna.”

The meeting is convened to address the Lok Sabha elections, coinciding with rumors of Nitish Kumar considering rejoining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), an alliance he departed from in 2022 to form the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ with the opposition.

Speculations arise as NDA leaders, including former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, hint at a potential breakdown in the JD(U)-RJD alliance. Manjhi expressed skepticism about the Mahagathbandhan’s longevity and suggested that Nitish Kumar’s aspirations of becoming PM had been shattered, anticipating either an independent Lok Sabha contest or alignment with another alliance.

BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi indicated a flexible approach, stating, “No door is permanently closed in politics, and the door can be opened if needed.” Nitish Kumar, initially spearheading opposition unity, distanced himself from BJP in 2022.

Tensions escalated within the ruling alliance when RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter criticized the JDU’s shifting ideology. Nitish Kumar’s potential switch would mark his fourth political realignment.

In the Bihar Assembly, the RJD has 79 MLAs, BJP 78, JD(U) 45, Congress 19, CPI (M-L) 12, CPI(M) and CPI two each, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) four, AIMIM one, and one Independent legislator.