All is Not Well: Gap Between JD(U) and RJD Widens, Nitish Kumar One Step Closer to Join NDA?

PATNA: Bihar is witnessing a political dram as reports suggesting that Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) which is part of I.N.D.I.A. bloc may join National Democratic Alliance, a significant incident has come to fore during the celebration of Republic Day in Patna on Friday, indicating a widening gap between JD(U) and RJD. During the Republic Day celebrations, a noticeable distance was observed between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav.

At a government event, chairs were set up for both Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav. However, Tejashwi Yadav chose to keep a distance, leaving the chair next to the CM vacant. Instead, he opted to sit on another chair beside his party leader and Legislative Assembly Speaker, Avadh Bihari Chaudhary, said reports.

During this event, the absence of interaction between the top leaders of JD(U) and RJD was noteworthy, as opposed to regular occasions where Tejashwi and Nitish Kumar are seen sitting together and engaging in conversations. Notably, amid the ongoing political crisis in Bihar, all parties are grappling with uncertainties about their political future. Speculations are circulating that Nitish Kumar might make a significant announcement this afternoon, possibly indicating a shift back to the NDA led by the BJP, thus breaking away from the Mahagathbandhan once again.

Simultaneously, a meeting took place at the residence of Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday night, attended by all Bihar BJP leaders. The BJP in Bihar is doing its efforts to convince its alliance parties. Including Jitan Ram Manjhi to Chirag Paswan, efforts are underway to persuade leaders to welcome Nitish Kumar back into the NDA fold.

Conversely, there are claims that Lalu Yadav is actively working to muster the required figure of 122 legislators without JD(U). If Nitish Kumar aligns with the BJP, and Lalu Yadav attempts to form a government by luring away some JD(U) legislators, it is conceivable that Nitish may propose the dissolution of the assembly.